Bangladesh, Ireland, PNG and Scotland qualify for ICC Women’s WT20 Qualifier Semi-Finals

• Bangladesh bowl UAE out for 39 after hat-trick from Fahima Khatun
• PNG beat Netherlands; Ireland defeat Uganda; Scotland overcome Thailand
• Photos and match highlights available on theOnline Media Zonefor free download and editorial use

A dramatic final day of group stage matches at the ICC Women’s World T20 Qualifier saw Bangladesh, Ireland, Papua New Guinea, and Scotland confirm themselves as semi-finalists. Ireland will take on PNG at VRA, Amstelveen before Scotland and Bangladesh face off at the same venue. A place in the ICC Women’s World T20 is up for grabs for the winner of both fixtures.

Ireland v Uganda

Ireland completed a convincing eight-wicket victory over Uganda at Amstelveen to top Group B in the Women’s World T20 Qualifier and confirm their place in the semi-finals.

Uganda made just 78 for eight in their 20 overs after a stellar Irish bowling performance led by 38-year-old leg-spinner Ciara Metcalfe, who was handed the Player of the Match award for her astonishing three wickets for eight runs in four overs.

The chase was a formality for the Irish, with 37-year-old Shillington making a brisk 27 at the top of the order to go with her two catches earlier on. She put on 31 with Cecilia Joyce (15) before 17-year-old Gaby Lewis (18*) and captain Laura Delany (13*) finished the job off the first ball of the 13th over with 47 balls to spare.

The result means Ireland, who are joined by Scotland from Group B in the semi-finals, progress, while Uganda are knocked out.

Player of the Match, Ireland’s Ciara Metcalfe said: “I am happy we have got over the winning line and qualifying for the semi-final, because we have been building towards this, so all round great performance today.”

Thailand v Scotland

Scotland went into their fixture against Thailand knowing that victory would see them into the semi-finals, and while Thailand’s fate was not entirely in their own hands, a win could have seen them progress.

Electing to bat, Scotland started poorly, Nattaya Boochatham’s three wickets for 16 runs seeing off the top order, but skipper Kathryn Bryce battled valiantly for an unbeaten 39 as the Wildcats posted a respectable total of 97 runs for seven wickets

Scotland were excellent in their reply, Rachel Scholes recording a magnificent four wickets for 10 runs as Thailand were restricted to 70 all out. Nannapat Koncharoenkai’s spirited 22 was not enough to steer her side home, and Scotland progress to the semi-finals via a 27-run victory, while Thailand crash out.

Player of the Match, Scotland’s Kathryn Bryce said: “It was a good performance today and I am very happy we are into the semi-finals.”

Bangladesh v UAE

A stunning collapse of six wickets for 0 runs in eight balls handed Bangladesh a thumping eight-wicket victory over UAE and confirmed their passage to the semi-finals as group winners.

Having elected to bowl first, Bangladesh’s start in the field was no more than steady as UAE progressed to 27 for one after 10 overs. Then leg-spinner Fahima Khatun (4/8) was introduced, and carnage ensued. Her hattrick started a collapse of six wickets for 0 runs in eight balls in the middle of a bigger collapse of nine for nine, UAE sliding to 39 all out.

Bangladesh made short work of the small target, Nigar Sultana batting through for 21, and Sanjida Islam making a nine-ball 15 as they reached the total two wickets down with 14.1 overs remaining.

Player of the Match, Fahima Khatun of Bangladesh said: “It is my first international hat-trick, it was a really good moment for me and I am really happy. We are through to the semi-finals and I am very thankful.”

Netherlands v Papua New GuineaA superb all-round performance from PNG saw them overwhelm the Netherlands, knocking their opponents out of their own tournament and confirming their place in the semi-finals.

Netherlands won the toss and chose to field, perhaps wanting to know what their task was exactly with net run rate a factor. That task ended up being a steep one, as Kopi John (40) and Brenda Tau (34) pushed PNG to a big 129/5. It was a mature batting performance, with PNG content to take singles and benefit from extras rather than look for boundaries; their were only eight boundaries, and 20 no-balls and wides in their innings.

Netherlands had to chase the target down within 15.3 overs to qualify and so set off quickly, taking 10 from the first over. Ravini Oa struck the key blows, removing openers Sterre Kallis and Heather Siegers within three deliveries. After that Mairi Tom(4/24) struck regularly as Netherlands floundered in the face of a rising asking rate, three wickets in three balls in the 13th over – the second a run out – all but confirming their fate as they slipped to 71 runs for seven wickets. They were eventually dismissed for 85, losing by 44 runs.

Scores in brief:

Ireland beat Uganda by eight wickets at VRA, Amstelveen

Uganda 78-8, 20 overs (Stephanie Nampiina 16; Frankline Najjumba 15 not out; Ciara Metcalfe 3-8)
Ireland 79-2, 12.1 overs (Claire Shillington 27, Gaby Lewis 18 not out; Getrude Candiru 1-19)

Scotland beat Thailand by 27 runs at Kampong, Utrecht

Scotland 97-7, 20 overs (Kathryn Bryce 39 not out, Rebecca Glen 28; Nattaya Boochatham 3-16)
Thailand 70 all out, 17.2 overs (Nannapat Koncharonkai 22, Natthakan Chantham 16; Rachel Scholes 4-10)****

Bangladesh beat UAE by eight wickets at Kampong, Utrecht

UAE 39 all out, 16.1 overs (Esha Rohit Oza 18; Fahima Khutan 4-8)
Bangladesh 40-2, 6.5 overs (Nigara Sultana 21 not out, Sanjida Islam 15; Subha Srinivisan 1-12

PNG beat Netherlands by 44 runs at VRA, Amstelveen

PNG (K John 40, Brenda Tau 34; Cher Van Slobbe 1-12)
Netherlands 85 all out, 16.4 overs (Denise Hannema 35, R Rijke 17; M Tom 4-24)

Points table

Group A

Group B

Wednesday is a rest day.

Fixtures for Thursday:

Uganda v Netherlands, Kampong (1200-1445); UAE v Thailand, Kampong (1600-1845)

Semi-finals: Ireland v PNG, VRA (1200-1445); Bangladesh v Scotland, VRA (1600-1845)