Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2024: Vanuatu shocks Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka starts with a victory – Full List of Day 1 Scores, Results, and Important Stats

At Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Vanuatu defeated Zimbabwe by six wickets in their first match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2024, leaving a lasting impact. With bat and ball, Nasimana Navaika was Vanuatu’s standout player, contributing significantly to her team’s impressive win.

In the second game of the evening, Rachel Slater’s five wicket haul helped Scotland defeat Uganda by 109 runs at Tolerance Oval. Thailand was defeated earlier by Sri Lanka, while UAE was defeated by Ireland.

UAE against Ireland
In the game’s second over, Esha Oza gave UAE the upper hand by attacking Alana Dalzell, but the bowler had the last laugh when she hit the opener off the last ball of the over.

With a strong partnership that developed at a very decent pace, Theertha Satish and Khushi Sharma rebuilt the UAE innings, but Ireland mounted a valiant return into the game that caused the UAE innings to fall apart quite fast.

In the course of five overs, UAE went from 64/1 to 77/7, with Arlene Kelly, Cara Murray, and Richardson sharing the honors. To make matters worse for the UAE, the gifted Kavisha Egodage was fired.

Despite a strong start to the innings, the lower order was unable to make much of a fight as UAE concluded on 105/9 in 20 overs.

Ireland’s best bowlers were Richardson and Kelly, who both took two wickets.

Ireland replied quickly, with Amy Hunter and Gaby Lewis showing excellent touch. Before Lewis left on the last delivery of the sixth over, edging Egodage to the wicketkeeper for a 22-ball 27 (the pair hammered 52 during the Powerplay).

Ireland slumped to 68/4 as Oza claimed the crucial wickets of Laura Delany and Rebecca Stokell in back-to-back overs.

Richardson and Ireland gave Orla Prendergast good assistance, which helped to stabilize the innings. With almost three overs remaining, the pair continued their unbroken streak and ensured that Ireland’s campaign got off to a winning start.

UAE was defeated by Ireland by six wickets.

UAE vs. Ireland Scorecard

(Khushi Sharma 24, Theertha Satish 22, Arlene Kelly 2-12, Eimear Richardson 2-15) UAE 105 for 9, 20 overs

Ireland 106 for 4, 16.1 overs (Eimear Richardson 22 not out, Amy Hunter 22 not out; Gaby Lewis 27 not out; Esha Oza 3-13)

The game’s MVP is Eimear Richardson.

Thailand vs Sri Lanka
At the Tolerance Oval in Abu Dhabi, Thailand’s disciplined bowling display held one of the tournament favorites, Sri Lanka, to 122/5 in 20 overs.

Choosing to bat first, Chamari Athapaththu, the captain, and Vishmi Gunaratne took their time getting settled in during Sri Lanka’s Powerplay.

Chanida Sutthiruang successfully removed Gunaratne for 13 during the Powerplay, but the most significant blow came immediately after the restrictions when Athapaththu was brilliantly fielded out.

Thailand was able to contain the scoring pace with a few breakouts from the other end after Hasini Perera lost control at one end. Finally, with little over five overs left in the session, Sri Lanka was down to a dangerous 78/5 when Perera was again caught in front by Sunida Chaturongrattana for 29.

Anushka Sanjeewani and Nilakshi de Silva collaborated on a pivotal move that forced Sri Lanka out of the woods. Sri Lanka ended on 122/5 with De Silva finishing undefeated for 29 (20 balls) and Anushka making 13 off 15.

With only one batter scoring in double figures, Udeshika Prabodhani and Inoshi Priyadharshani spearheaded Sri Lanka’s bowling attack in retaliation.

While Thailand scored 29 runs in the Powerplay for only one wicket loss, they were quickly ripped apart as Sri Lanka showed their prowess with the ball.

After Sri Lanka’s innings of 40/5 thanks to the contributions of Prabhodhani, Kavisha Dilhari, and Achini Kulasuriya, things took a turn for the worst for Thailand when Priyadharshani claimed three wickets in the 14th over.

After reaching 45/8, they were finally dismissed for 55, with Athapaththu taking the last wicket to end the innings.

In her four overs, Priyadharshani stood out with 3 for 14, while Prabodhani finished with 2 for 10.

Sri Lanka defeated Thailand by a score of 67 runs.

Thailand vs. Sri Lanka Scorecard
Sri Lanka 122 for 5, 20 overs (Maya Sutthiruang 1-15, Sunida Chaturongrattana 1-15; Nilakshi De Silva 29 not out, Hasini Perera 29)

Thailand 55 all out in 16.2 overs (Udeshika Prabodhani 1-10, Inoshi Priyadharshani 3-14, and Nannappak Koncharoenkai 18).

The match’s MVP is Inoshi Priyadharshani.

Vanuatu vs Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe chose to bat first, and Vanuatu’s bowlers glowed under the lights of the Zayed Cricket Stadium as they thrashed the country for 61 runs in 13.3 overs in only 13.3 overs. The standout performance for her team was a spinner named Nasimana Navaika, who rattled the Zimbabwe batting lineup by taking four wickets for 13 runs. Vanessa Vira, who had three wickets for fourteen, provides good assistance.

Rachel Andrew, an all-round player, bowled quite well as well, taking two wickets in her two overs for only ten runs.

In order to defend their below-average total, Zimbabwe’s bowlers produced tight spells, but Vanuatu’s batsmen remained composed. Vanuatu managed to accomplish their goal with 21 balls remaining, despite losing four wickets.

Navaika set the tone for her side’s chase after her outstanding bowling display with a calm 21 from 36 balls (three fours). She was named player of the match for her superb all-around effort.

The top bowler for Zimbabwe was Audrey Mazvishaya, who took two wickets for ten runs in her four overs, two of which were maidens.

Vanuatu defeated Zimbabwe by six wickets as a result.

Vanuatu vs Zimbabwe Scorecard
(Sharne Mayers 16; Nasimana Navaika 4-13, Vanessa Vira 3-14, Rachel Andrew 2–10) Zimbabwe 61 all out in 13.3 overs

Vanuatu scored 62 for 4, in 16.3 overs, with Valenta Langiatu scoring 13 and Audrey Mazvishaya scoring 2 and 10.

Player of the Night: Navaika Nasimana

Uganda vs Scotland
Uganda requested Scotland to bat first, and they responded with a massive 161 for 3 in the 20 overs that they were given. They were able to achieve the total thanks to opener Sasika Horley and Ailsa Lister’s unbroken 95-run partnership at the fourth wicket. With a brilliant 61 off 52 balls, Horley maintained her perfect record. Her innings included seven fours.

During the last overs of Scotland’s innings, Lister struck five fours and two sixes on her route to an undefeated 55 off 34 balls.

Earlier, Uganda’s bowlers failed to have a significant impression as Darcey Carter’s 24 off 16 (three fours, one six) got the side off to a flying start.

Uganda was bowled out for 52 in 12.2 overs as a consequence of Slater’s game-winning five for 17 and partner Abtaha Maqsood’s three for 10, which caused wickets to fall frequently. The only other person to achieve double digits was Phiona Kulume (16).

Scotland defeated Uganda by 109 runs as a result.

Uganda vs. Scotland Scorecard: Scotland 161 for 3, 20 overs (Immaculate Nakisuuyi 1-29), Ailsa Lister 55 not out, and Sasika Horley 61 not out

Phiona Kulume (16 not out), Rachel Slater (5–17), and Abtaha Maqsood (3–10) led Uganda to 52 all out in 12.2 overs.