Sri Lanka go on top of Group A of Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier; Netherlands, Uganda, Zimbabwe record first wins

At Tolerance Oval, the Netherlands stole the show with a 100-run win over Vanuatu, meanwhile, at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Uganda bounced back with an impressive eight-wicket win over the USA.

Netherlands 154/6 (20) beat Vanuatu 54/10 (19.5)

Toss: Netherlands Women elected to bat

SCORECARD

The Netherlands recorded a comprehensive win in their first outing of the Qualifier by defeating Vanuatu by 100 runs.Netherlands’ opener and skipper Heather Siegers was the first fall, bowled by Selina Solman for six runs.

The experienced Sterre Kalis and Babette de Leede ensured the Netherlands rebuilt quickly, taking their side to 49/1 in the Powerplay with a 16-run sixth over.

The duo stitched together a 43-run stand before Nasimana Navaika dismissed de Leede caught and bowled for 18 (16).

Kalis continued to control the game from her end and brought up her sixth T20I fifty off 40 balls as she added another 20 in her next 11 deliveries to finish with 70 off 51. Kalis’ knock helped the Netherlands to a total of 154/6.

Vanuatu looked troubled from the start in their chase, losing wickets at crucial intervals. Rachel Andrew was the first wicket to fall. Iris Zwilling snared Andrew’s wicket for six runs.

The Netherlands’ Silver Siegers (2/11) and Caroline de Lange (2/8) grabbed two wickets each while Merel Dekeling finished with 1/7. And with three run-outs of Valenta Langiatu, Maiyllise Carlot and Vanessa Vira, Netherlands bowled Vanuatu out for 54 with only Gillian Chilia (11*) going past double figures.

Sterre Kalis earned the Player of the Match award for her belligerent knock with the bat.

USA 110/5 (20) lost to Uganda 111/2 (18.2)

Toss: USA Women elected to bat

SCORECARD

Immaculate Nakisuuyi starred for Uganda with an unbeaten half-century in their first Qualifier win at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.

The USA, playing their first match of the Qualifier, were helped to a stable start by opener Disha Dhingra who scored 25 off 24 balls.

However, Uganda bowlers Sarah Walaza and Sarah Akiteng managed to snare a wicket each of the USA openers in the first eight overs to bring some momentum back into their favour.

A 40-run third-wicket partnership between captain Sindhu Sriharsha and Ritu Singh laid down a foundation for a strong finish.

Just as the USA were approaching the final five overs, Ritu’s (16) wicket was the first of many to fall. Sriharsha was then dismissed in the 17th over to Concy Aweko, caught by Rita Musamali for 26 – USA’s highest score for the day.

The next over saw the back of Geetika Kodali who was run out by Rita Musamali while trying to steal a second off an overthrow.

However, the USA composed themselves to finish well in the final over, adding 11 runs with Gargi Bhogle’s cameo of 19 runs off 16 balls taking them to 110/5 in their 20 overs.

In their chase, Uganda were put on the back foot with a wicket in the first over –  Prosscovia Alako falling for a duck. The USA picked another wicket in the Powerplay, dismissing Esther Iloku. Uganda ended the first six overs with 13/2 on the board.

The equation for Uganda to win the match read 98 runs from 84 balls with a required run rate of seven. At this point, they required an immaculate partnership for the match to turn in their favour and Immaculate Nakisuuyi and Stephani Nampiina delivered just that.

Nakisuuyi smashed her second T20I fifty bringing it up in 53 balls. The two players continued to show nerves of steel to time the chase to perfection as they assimilated 102 runs for the third wicket in 82 balls to bring up Uganda’s first win of the Qualifier. 

Nakisuuyi finished with an unbeaten 68* off 64 balls to win the Player of the Match award while Nampiina scored an impressive 33 in 27 balls.

Staying true to the tag of tournament favourites, Sri Lanka made it two wins on the trot with a thumping 10-wicket win over Scotland at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.

Sri Lanka 95/0 (10.1) beat Scotland 84 (18.2)

Toss: Sri Lanka elected to bowl

SCORECARD

Sri Lanka produced an utterly dominant performance against Scotland to move to the top of Group A in the Global Qualifier.

Asked to bat first by the Islanders, UAE had no answers to the Sri Lankan spinners, who accounted for nine of the 10 wickets that fell. Inoshi Priyadharshani made a crucial breakthrough in the very first over, dismissing Darcey Carter for a duck to set the tone for Sri Lanka's dominance.

Despite losing an early wicket, Kathryn Bryce emerged was undeterred and launched an attack during the Powerplay, striking two boundaries off Udeshika Prabodhani in an over. She dished out the same treat to Sugandika Kumari but the left-arm spinner had the last laugh by getting rid of the opposition skipper two balls later.

Achini Kulasuriya struck in her first over and the last over of the Powerplay to leave Scotland reeling at 32/3.

As a promising partnership started to form between Sarah Bryce and Ailsa Lister, Inoshi Priyadharshani returned and struck twice in three balls, dismissing Bryce and Priyanaz Chatterji.

Kavisha Dilhari was soon introduced into the attack and picked up four of the remaining five wickets. For Scotland, a solid knock of 24 from Lorna Jack took them to a respectable total as they were bowled out for 94.

Scotland's target of 95 proved insufficient as they were dismantled right in the Powerplay by Sri Lanka's captain Chamari Athapaththu.

The left-hander unleashed a barrage of aggressive strokes from the outset, racing to 41 runs off just 23 balls within the first six overs, ruthlessly dismantling the Scottish bowling attack with seven boundaries and a six.

She needed only eight more balls to get to her half-century – the 10th of her T20I career – as Athapaththu (59* off 35 balls) kept the foot firmly on the accelerator with a massive boost to their net run rate in sight. 

Meanwhile, Vishmi Gunaratne played a supportive role with a composed unbeaten knock of 23 runs off 25 balls, as Sri Lanka cruised to victory with all 10 wickets intact and 59 balls to spare.

Elsewhere at the Tolerance Oval, Zimbabwe bounced back against UAE after suffering a shock defeat to Vanuatu on opening day to put their campaign back on track.

Zimbabwe 106/2 (15.2) beat UAE 105/9 (20)

Toss: UAE elected to bat

SCORECARD

Zimbabwe, in desperate need of a win after their opening loss to Vanuatu, responded emphatically with a comprehensive all-round display against UAE in the Global Qualifier.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, UAE found themselves restrained by Zimbabwe's disciplined bowling effort during the Powerplay.

Josephine Nkomo made an early impact, claiming two wickets in her second over to dismiss Theertha Satish and Khushi Sharma.

Attempting to inject momentum into the innings in the final over of the fielding restrictions, UAE's captain Esha Oza managed to find the boundary off Lindokuhle Mabhero. However, her innings was short-lived as she was bowled the very next ball, leaving UAE struggling at 23/3 at the end of the Powerplay.

Kavisha Egodage and Heena Hotchandani joined forces to stabilise UAE's innings, forming a resilient partnership of 52 runs for the fourth wicket. However, despite their efforts, boundaries were scarce and the partnership progressed at a rate slower than a run per ball. The partnership met an untimely end with a mix-up between the two, resulting in a crucial run-out breakthrough for Zimbabwe.

With three overs to go and the score only at 93/4, Hotchandani had no option but to accelerate and fell in her effort to do so. Nkomo returned to the attack in the penultimate over and scalped two more wickets off consecutive balls to record a four-wicket haul.

Two more wickets fell in the final over as UAE hobbled to a total of 105/9.

In reply, Zimbabwe got off to a solid start with the bat, with openers Modester Mupachikwa and Sharne Mayers putting up a 22-run stand before Suraksha Kotte broke the partnership by trapping the latter in front of the wicket.

Zimbabwe scored just two boundaries in the Powerplay but UAE were guilty of wayward bowling, giving away too many extras as the Lady Chevrons went at run-a-ball in the opening six overs.

Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano upped the ante with three boundaries in the subsequent three overs, including two consecutive fours from the opening over of Kavisha Egodage. The partnership of 43 runs with Modester Mupachikwa came to an end after a mix-up between the two resulted in a run-out.

Captain Mary-Anne Musonda joined Mugeri-Tiripano, and together they navigated the rest of the chase smoothly. Finding boundaries with regularity, the pair strung an unbeaten partnership of 41 runs to take the team home with 27 balls to spare.