India is eliminated by Perry's and Gardner's fifties

India 170 for 4 (Harmanpreet 56, Mandhana 38, Molineux 2-46) lost to Australia 172 for 4 (Perry 56, Gardner 53*) by six wickets.

In front of an enthusiastic crowd at Lord's, the seasoned pair of Ellyse Perry and Ash Gardner expertly handled a tight Australia chase of 171, the highest in women's T20 World Cups, and eliminated India from the competition. Except for a few fielding errors that kept India in check for almost 18 overs of their innings, Australia dominated much of the match. However, a Harmanpreet Kaur blitz gave them 170, the highest score against Australia at the women's T20 World Cup.

Harmanpreet Kaur reached fifty off 25 balls

With calm hands from Phoebe Litchfield and Beth Mooney, Australia barely faltered through the chase, but they required a challenging 62 runs from the final six. The partisan Indian crowd was calmed when Perry and Gardner chased the Indian spinners with their half-centuries, found gaps frequently, and occasionally cleared the ropes. Before Georgia Wareham scored the winning runs, Perry and Gardner took 17 runs off Renuka Singh to reduce the score to 17 off 18 when they needed 34 off 24.

After losing their most recent league match to Australia, India failed to advance to the knockout stages of the T20 World Cup for the second consecutive year. Australia and South Africa advance from Group A to play West Indies and England, respectively, in the semi-finals on Tuesday and Thursday at The Oval, following India's defeat.

Mandhana and Shafali give India a cautious fifty-stand

Throughout the powerplay, Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana mainly maintained their composure. Shafali pursued the offside boundary, especially against Gardner, with a four and a six in the fourth over. Mandhana cruised at a run-a-ball by peppering the legside boundary with four fours anytime she got one on the pads. Australia was only unable to grab a wicket in the powerplay of a Twenty20 International for the second time since the 2023 T20 World Cup semi-final between the same two teams because they scarcely took any chances.

In the ninth over, Shafali faced Gardner once more. After scoring 13 runs in the first over, she scored 12 more, including a six and a four. Captain Sophie Molineux decided to strike the first blow by toppling Shafali's off stump as she began to cut loose. Jemimah Rodrigues opened the game with a spectacular inside-out boundary over the covers, but India suffered another setback due to her confusion with Mandhana. The opener was returned for 38 off 37 because Rodrigues was ball-watching following her reverse sweep and failed to react to Mandhana's call.

Against Australia, Harmanpreet accomplishes it once more

When Harmanpreet and the sun emerged, the scoring rate was a little above seven. She frequently attacked with both power and placement to increase the run rate, in contrast to the hitters who came before her. However, India was never able to overtake the scoring rate due to Australia's harsh lengths and somewhat slow ground. Since Shafali's dismissal, India had only managed one boundary per over. Following Molineux's seven-run, boundary-less 18th over, they were 134 for 2, with the third-wicket stand surpassing fifty. At that point, with considerable drama, Harmanpreet let out the Harmonster.

Rodrigues took two lives in as many balls shortly after Harmanpreet struck her sixth four in 22 balls. Before Nicola Carey made a more difficult attempt by diving forward from long off, her draw to deep square leg went through Georgia Wareham's hands for six. In an attempt to score more runs, India chose to withdraw Rodrigues in favour of big-hitting Richa Ghosh. However, Ghosh did nothing but watch as Harmanpreet hit three consecutive sixes in the final over, helped along by another Australian fielding error. Her 25-ball half-century, which she reached with two consecutive sixes, was the fastest by an Indian at the women's T20 World Cup. Perry eventually caught Harmanpreet at mid-off for 56 off 27 after the ball passed through Litchfield's hands over her head when she attempted a third consecutive hit. Once thought to be unachievable for India, Deepti Sharma's top edge off the final ball made it a 23-run over and a total of 170, which was the most against Australia at the women's T20 World Cup.

Australia and India trade blows

With the aid of a review that reversed the on-field ruling, Renuka struck the following ball to trap Georgia Voll lbw if she had begun the pursuit with a boundary. Renuka and Shafali each gave up a single in the following two overs to put the pressure back on Australia if Litchfield finished the second over with consecutive fours off Kranti Gaud. After Mooney hit two leg-side boundaries off Renuka to end the run of 13 boundary-less balls, Litchfield hit a straight six in a 12-run Shafali over to give Australia 49 in the powerplay.

After the Indian spinners' strike, Perry and Gardner led the chase

From there, it was anybody's game. After Litchfield returned to the starting lineup after missing three games due to injury, Shree Charani, India's top wicket-taker at the tournament, took the big wicket of Litchfield, shanking the ball to Mandhana at long-off for 24. Three overs later, Mooney skied one off Deepti, giving India an advantage. While Gardner frequently used the aerial method, Perry showed her class under duress by finding the gaps on either side of the pitch with 99 to get off the final 10 overs.

When Australia required 86 from 48, the game was beginning to go in India's favour. However, Gardner hit a four and a six off consecutive deliveries as Radha made a length error, and Perry followed it with a four to make it a 17-run over. Australia now required 46 from 30 after Gardner slog-swept Shree Charani for six in two overs; Perry followed with another four and the 16-run over.

Despite India's ability to cling to their catches in this game, the pressure began to emerge amid occasional misfields and multiple bowling changes. Now that the boundaries were flowing more easily, Perry scored a strong half-century off 33 balls with a straight boundary, and Gardner followed in the 18th over with hers off 28 balls to further establish their dominance. Before Wareham completed the game, Perry skied one to mid-off on the penultimate over to fall for 56.

South Africa completes a tense chase against Bangladesh

Bangladesh 117 for 5 (Sobhana 42, Sultana 32, Mlaba 2-22) lost to South Africa 118 for 6 (Dercksen 45, Nahida 2-24) by four wickets.

In a tense chase against Bangladesh in both sides' first international at Lord's, South Africa managed to stay in the running for the semi-final. Sharmin Akhter and Sobhana Mostary's 56-run partnership saved Bangladesh from being 14 for 2 early on when they decided to bat under overcast conditions at the game's most famous location. Bangladesh reached 117 for 5 thanks to Nigar Sultana's 20-ball 32 not out, which should have been easily chased down by South Africa on an excellent batting pitch.

With 20 balls, Nigar Sultana scored 32 not out

The must-win game proved to be South Africa's worst enemy. They lost Laura Wolvaardt's opening ball, and Bangladesh brought them back each time they had an advantage. South Africa only managed to reach the mark with four balls remaining, and Bangladesh was in it the entire time thanks to a fantastic fielding display in which they took every catch that was made available to them.

As Australia plays India in the afternoon match, South Africa will now have to wait anxiously. South Africa will advance if Australia wins, but India will advance if Australia loses.

Kapp and Ismail take command

Marizanne Kapp struck with the first ball of the contest at the scene of her spectacular 4 for 9 in the first-ever Hundred final in 2021. A fuller ball was pushed through as Juairiya Ferdous took a swing, only to hear her off stump clatter. Kapp finished with figures of 1 for 9 off four overs thanks to his superb economy of just 2.25.

Kapp gave up just two runs off the third over to contain Bangladesh, but Shabnim Ismail scored a first over in the next over. With the wicket of Taj Nehar, who was hit on the front pad by a ball that jagged back in from just behind a length, Ismail further hindered them. Nehar's laborious innings for just 1 off 12 balls was ended by the umpire's decision to reject her appeal to the DRS because the ball tracking indicated impact in line with the top of off.

Mostary and Sharmin dig in

Bangladesh was 23 for 2 at the end of the powerplay, but Sharmin and Sobhana put up some resistance with a tenacious, if hesitant, combination of 56 in 62 balls. By the end of the seventh over, Kapp had been bowled out, so Wolvaardt changed up her attack. Nadine de Klerk, for example, had a short ball hit for six over deep square leg by Sobhana.

Nonkululeko Mlaba didn't make a breakthrough until the beginning of the fifteenth over. He tossed one up outside leg stump as Sharmin moved forward, but the turn beat him as the ball crashed into the top of the middle and off stumps. Mostary skied a de Klerk short ball high and straight to the short third man after facing 48 balls for her 42. The skipper, Sultana, attempted to increase the score with an undefeated 32 off 20 deliveries, but she was the only Bangladeshi batter to move at a respectable T20 rate.

South Africa tests their resilience once more

Throughout the competition, Wolvaardt has not appeared to be her typical free-flowing self, and she was not even allowed to try to find form during this innings. South Africa were left 0 for 1 after one ball and without their finest batsman as Marufa Akter's swerving first delivery curved into the bat-pad gap and removed Wolvaardt's off stump. Annerie Dercksen, a fresh No. 3, and Tazmin Brits, who appeared to be suffering from a glute strain, were left to maintain the innings and pursue a modest target.

After they lost eight wickets in the pursuit of 126, memories of the Pakistan match must have been vivid, but the mastermind of that innings was also present today. Dercksen's first boundary was an inside-edged four, but she quickly found her touch when she hit Sanjida Akter Meghla for six over cow corner while on one knee. The true test came when Dane van Niekerk and Brits, with whom she enjoyed a 57-run second-wicket partnership, were removed in consecutive overs. At the midway point, South Africa was 59 for 3 and required an additional 59 runs in the following ten overs. After batting for four more overs and putting South Africa within 31 runs of victory, Dercksen gave way to Kapp.

Bangladesh squeezes to the very end

Bangladesh did not give up a boundary for eighteen deliveries following Dercksen's dismissal, and pressure on South Africa intensified. By sending Nahida Akter through the covers for four and lowering the necessary run rate to less than a run per ball, De Klerk released the chains. However, South Africa's relief was fleeting. De Klerk wanted a single after hitting the following ball to point, but Kapp hesitated, and by the time she recognised she had to leave, it was too late. Kapp was short of her ground as Sharmin swooped in and hurled to the keeper's end.

Bangladesh benefits, while India is in the background.

When she crossed the stumps and hit Nahida over square leg for four, De Klerk got it back. Ten runs in two overs were required by South Africa. They didn't need to do anything spectacular to get five off the first four balls, but de Klerk attempted to finish in style by hitting a slower ball from Ritu Moni high to deep midwicket, where Shorna Akter made a fantastic catch. With two balls into the final over, South Africa completed the match after needing five out of the remaining five.

Dunkley and Wyatt-Hodge dominate as NZ loses

England defeated New Zealand 163 for 6 (Melie 42, Devine 30, Gibson 2-30) by nine wickets at 164 for 1 (Wyatt-Hodge 89*, Dunkley 49*).

In front of a record-breaking crowd at The Oval, Danni Wyatt-Hodge delivered yet another outstanding innings to keep England undefeated and eliminate New Zealand from the 2026 T20 World Cup in their final group-stage encounter.

Danni Wyatt-Hodge quickly reached fifty

With a decisive victory, this time by nine wickets, England concluded the group stage as they had begun, allowing the West Indies to sneak into the semi-finals after losing to Ireland earlier in the day.
Wyatt-Hodge was the standout, again like on the first night against Sri Lanka, scoring an undefeated 89 off 53 balls in an uninterrupted partnership of 128 with Sophia Dunkley, who struck 49 not out as England reached their target of 164 with 16 balls remaining. In the 2009 T20 Women's World Cup semi-final match against Australia at The Oval, England also accomplished the highest successful run chase.

They accomplished this on a record-breaking day in front of 21,018 spectators, the most for a T20 Women's World Cup group stage match. With 282 runs and counting, Wyatt-Hodge, on the other hand, became the highest run scorer at a single T20 Women's World Cup. After an undefeated century against Sri Lanka and a tough 65 in the sweltering heat against the West Indies earlier in the week, she performed brilliantly in her third excellent innings of the World Cup, cutting and driving to the boundary seemingly at will.

New Zealand, the reigning champions, entered the game knowing that a victory would advance them to the semi-finals following a challenging season in which they had won two games and lost two. However, they were unable to extend the retirement celebration for Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, and Lea Tahuhu, who all ended their international careers at the group stage with 448 caps under their belts.

Devine provided her signature fireworks with a 14-ball cameo for 30, while Melie Kerr squandered her impressive start by leading the White Ferns in scoring with 42 off 34 balls. England's goal was raised to 164 by Bates' final 19 off 13.

Wyatt-Hodge does it once more

Amy Jones and Wyatt-Hodge scored 31 runs in the first three overs. Jones was very aggressive against Bree Illing, pulling, cutting, and driving three fours in five balls. But by the end of the fourth, England were 36 for 1 after she chipped off spinner Nensi Patel straight to mid-off.

As Wyatt-Hodge and Dunkley finished the powerplay at 57 for 1, equal to their best of the tournament, against West Indies at Lord's, where they had given up two wickets, Devine resumed the attack in the sixth over but battled for line and length and was punished with three fours.

As the players exited the pitch shortly after the power play, a quick downpour broke the warmth and the match's momentum in South London. However, Wyatt-Hodge and Dunkley continued where they had left off when play resumed. Wyatt-Hodge reached her fifty off 33 balls by climbing into three fours off one Melie over and two more from Patel in the following over. Wyatt-Hodge and Dunkley were able to easily see their side home after that.

White Ferns get off to a great start

Melie and Isabella Gaze, who were paired against Scotland in the previous match with Georgia Plimmer on the bench, continued to be New Zealand's opening combination, as the two produced a stand of 70 in 60 balls.

Melie hit the boundary twice in three balls during Dani Gibson's opening over with a beautiful back-foot drive followed by a ramp after being powerful on the cut and sweep early on. Gaze attempted to shoot herself two balls later, but Amy Jones mishandled the ball behind the stumps, causing New Zealand to sigh with relief as they advanced to the powerplay 44 without losing.

For England, three out of four

Sophie Ecclestone closed out the openers by giving up just seven runs in her first two overs. After that, Gaze hit consecutive fours off Freya Kemp, but he skied the final ball of Kemp's opening over to long-on, where Alice Capsey made a confident catch just inside the edge of the boundary.

After failing to convert a start for the third time in four innings, Melie was enraged with herself when she missed an attempt to scoop off Gibson and was bowled the next ball. She threw her head back and thrashed her bat through the air.

Two balls later, Gibson dragged one through from outside off stump and found the outside edge, which clattered against the stumps, causing Izzy Sharp to fall. Gibson was now at 2 for 14 from two overs, while New Zealand was at 70 for 3 from 70 without loss.

A cameo by Devine

Devine's special was needed for New Zealand's predicament, and she delivered it to a certain extent in her usual explosive manner. Devine was on 27 off 10 balls when she hit three enormous leg-side sixes in as many balls as she faced. She also established a strong partnership with Brooke Halliday, which they eventually expanded to 54 in 29 deliveries. The White Ferns were back on track at 124 for 3 thanks to their efforts, but it was undone once more.

Dean's direction

Charlie Dean, England's acting captain, delivered a spectacular direct hit to end Devine-Halliday's union. England had been astute in the field. Dean swooped just inside the ring and shot the ball to the non-striker's end after Halliday threw a Lauren Bell delivery into the off-side, splattering the stumps with Halliday well short of her ground.

Two balls later, Devine was hit on the pads while trying to slog to Bell. Ball-tracking revealed she was plump while she reviewed. After having a small contribution down the order, that propelled Bates to the crease. Before being run out on the final delivery of the innings, Bates, who was only playing in her third game of the competition, added 19 off 13 balls.

Ireland wins their first T20 World Cup thanks to Prendergast and spinners

Ireland defeated the West Indies 128 for 7 (Henry 27, Murray 2-13, A. Maguire 2-22) by six wickets at 129 for 4 (Prendergast 63, Hunter 28, Munisar 2-28).

Over the course of five T20 World Cup editions, it took Ireland 22 tries to win a game. In a low-scoring thriller in Bristol, they defeated West Indies, for whom a victory would have guaranteed a semi-final position. New Zealand, the reigning champions, are now back in the running after Ireland's victory, making their last group match against England more important. More significantly, it halted a string of near misses for Ireland, including a four-run loss to New Zealand last week, and demonstrated their ability to contend with and defeat elite sides.

Amy Hunter and Orla Prendergast scored 62 thanks to Amy Hunter's astute batting

None of the West Indies' hitters were able to score more than Chinelle Henry's 27 off 21 balls as Ireland was economical with the ball, holding them to 128 for 7. Legspinner Cara Murray led Ireland's attack with a return of two for 13 in her four overs, while left-arm spinner Aimee Maguire grabbed two for 22, making Ireland's spinners the main culprits.

Ireland were on 37 for 1 after the first six overs and had a solid powerplay while chasing a small score. Amy Hunter and Orla Prendergast scored 62 off 53 balls for the second wicket despite losing skipper Gaby Lewis for nine. Prendergast pushed the West Indies on the verge of defeat with her second half-century of the competition. However, her dismissal caused anxiety, which persisted until Louise Little and Rebecca Stokell brought it home.

After the men's team defeated India in a Twenty20 International on Friday in Belfast for the first time in any format, Ireland's women's squad concluded a joyous day for their nation.

The West Indies were initially all or bust

Qiana Joseph, who was brought back into the team after missing the England match, got off to a great start when she smashed the third ball she faced to Jane Maguire at square leg. However, the ball was hit so fiercely that it burst through her hands for four. She attempted to end the over with a full-blooded sweep and top-edged to Leah Paul at short fine leg after hitting the next ball through midwicket for a second consecutive boundary. Hayley Matthews clipped Prendergast through square leg after edging her into the empty short third man's area in the following over. Shemaine Campbelle joined in by edging an Arlene Kelly outswinger for four in the third over. However, she then threw a leading-edge high, causing Hunter to flee and take cover. After batting further down earlier, Stafanie Taylor was at No. 4 and sliced the first ball she saw through point for four. The West Indies were down two wickets and 31 for two after three overs, with 24 runs in boundaries.

Dottin, Taylor, and Matthews start but don't get going

Before Matthews was given a short, wide ball by Jane and hit it through point for her second four, the West Indies were matched by four boundary-less overs following their quick start. In pursuit of another boundary, she moved from 10 off six balls to 22 from 24 before sweeping Murray straight to square leg, where Stokell took a straightforward opportunity. Before skipping down the track to meet an Aimee delivery on the full and hit it straight to Prendergast at long-on, Taylor had a far less fluid start, working her way to 16 off 26 balls.

After a slow start and two runs off ten balls, Deandra Dottin slid down on one knee to sweep Aimee behind square for four. She only struck one boundary. After reaching 21 from 28 balls, she received a full toss from Jane, which she hit directly to Prendergast at extra cover. Although it was considered lawful, there was a possibility that it might have been a no-ball for height.

The hunting is done by the hunter

With eight runs in the opening two overs, Ireland was off to a strong start, but when Hunter went looking, they still hadn't found the boundary. She attempted to smash Matthews over mid-off, but the ball went directly to Jannillea Glasgow, who missed a straightforward opportunity. Hunter, who was on three at the time, made matters worse by advancing on Matthews and hitting her for four between mid-on and mid-wicket.

She then drove Matthews over Cow Corner for six, giving Ireland two boundaries in two balls. Before miscuing Afy Fletcher to Taylor at one point in the 13th over, when Ireland was already in a strong position at 88 for 1, Hunter continued to score 28. She was removed after Ireland needed 40 runs from 42 balls.

Prendergast shines to help Ireland cross the last line

In Ireland's chase against New Zealand, she made a half-century, although they were defeated by four runs. Prendergast would have understood the significance of her surviving this period, as her removal caused a collapse. When Hunter left, she was 46 off 35 balls and hit her fifty from the subsequent delivery. For her seventh four, she struck Ashmini Munisar between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg. Prendergast demonstrated her back-foot play on both sides of the wicket later in the over when she threaded one through the space between cover point and backward point.

Prendergast was dismissed by Fletcher in the following over after being caught behind down the leg side, but he was successfully reviewed right away. When she attempted to knock Matthews over mid-wicket, she took one too many chances. However, she did not get enough on it, and Dottin caught her on the rope. As she exited the pitch, Ireland required 21 runs off 28 balls.

Pakistan wins comfortably thanks to Zafar and Feroza

Pakistan defeated the Netherlands 89 all out (de Leede 30; Sana 3-12; and Zafar 3-13) by 37 runs at 126 for 6 (Feroza 63*, Zafar 32, and Zwilling 2-19).

In a low-scoring match, Pakistan defeated the Netherlands by 37 runs thanks to a half-century from Gull Feroza. Feroza held the first innings together to score 126 for Pakistan, their joint-highest score in this event, in a low-scoring match where momentum fluctuated.

In the middle overs, Gull Feroza gave Pakistan a boost

Heather Siegers' brilliant start put the Netherlands on the path at first, but once she was removed, they drastically lost direction as Pakistan used spin to crush them. Fatima Sana returned to the attack to provide the coup de grace, smashing down the stumps three times in the penultimate over to send the Netherlands' final three batsmen on their way as they folded for 89. The final seven wickets fell for only 13 runs.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Pakistan overcame a lacklustre start with a 79-run second-wicket partnership between Feroza and Ayesha Zafar. However, Silver Siegers and Iris Zwilling—possibly the best of the Netherlands' attack—were the Netherlands' counterattack. They caused Pakistan to collapse, losing five wickets for twenty-four runs, including the early loss of Sana, who had risen to her highest T20I batting position of four. It put Pakistan back from what appeared to be a score of more than 140 to one that the Netherlands truly wanted to pursue.

The Netherlands appeared to have a chance to defeat Pakistan thanks to Heather Sieger's quick start, but once Diana Baig dismissed her, there wasn't much evidence to support her. The Dutch were suffocated by Pakistan's spinners, and the Netherlands started to retreat as the asking rate skyrocketed. In the end, a Dutch team that had promised so much more for the best part of this game gave up in a subdued manner.

Feroza is tall

One of the most difficult things in Pakistani cricket is trying to ignore the chaos around you, but Gull Feroza succeeded in doing just that. Feroza and Ayesha Zafar put on a 79-run partnership as Pakistan managed only a slow start and lost Muneeba Ali early. Throughout the second-wicket partnership, especially around the halfway point, she was the more assertive partner.

The attack began with two clever boundaries off Hannah Landheer in the tenth over and another pair against Heather Siegers in the next. Pakistan had their greatest batting burst between the tenth and fourteenth overs, thumping 36 in four. They had, courtesy of Feroza, built up just enough of a cushion to give their bowlers breathing room, even if they would shortly collapse.

The review that nearly wasn't

The Netherlands had a great start against South Africa on Thursday, and they knew that anything near that would almost certainly result in victory today as they aimed for 127. With the team scoring 31 runs in the first 20 balls, Heather Siegers started to threaten just that as she raced to 24 in 15. However, in what may have been the most important part of the game, Diana Baig bounced back from being smashed for two boundaries off her first two balls.

Siegers was smacked high on the pad after she failed to drive into the onside. Pakistan's feeble plea was quickly dismissed by the umpire, but Sana made a last-minute review, and Hawk-Eye spat out three reds. The Netherlands never regained that position of strength in the game after losing their brightest spark.

The Netherlands was swamped by Pakistan's spinners

After the Siegers left, the Dutch seemed to experience a slight pressure that they were never able to fully overcome. Eyman Fatima's direct hit in the next over caused a foolish effort at a single to result in a run-out. Except for a Sana over, Pakistan focused almost entirely on spin, hurrying through their overs while the asking rate increased. With a tight line that revealed nothing, Nashra Sandhu was most successful at suppressing the batters. With the Netherlands only managing 23 in seven overs following Siegers' ejection, she would ultimately record figures of 3-0-8-1 down the middle.

Scotland is devastated as SL wins a thriller to survive

Scotland 151 for 6 (Sarah 47*, Carter 34, Ayodhya 2-34) was defeated by Sri Lanka 154 for 7 (Athapaththu 33, Samarawickrama 27, Farser 2-25) by three wickets.

With a tense victory over Scotland in Manchester, Sri Lanka maintained their tenuous hopes of qualifying for the 2026 T20 World Cup semi-finals.

With one ball remaining, Sri Lanka was defeated by Sugandika Kumari and Nilakshika Silva

They needed seven from the last over as they chased 152. Before Rachel Slater walked off with what appeared to be a knee problem, Nilakshika Silva and Sugandika Kumari took four off the first three balls of the seamer. The final three balls were bowled by Priyanaz Chatterji. She gave up a single on the fourth delivery, but Sugandika smashed through a short third for four to complete the victory when two were needed from two.

To advance to the last four, Sri Lanka currently needs England to defeat New Zealand and Ireland to defeat the West Indies. However, Scotland would miss out on a fantastic chance to qualify directly for the 2028 tournament.

Scotland's encouraging beginning

Scotland got off to a fast start thanks to Darcey Carter and Katherine Fraser. Carter took the overhead path without hesitation and hit four fours off the first ten balls she encountered. Fraser contributed a few boundaries as well, but Silva's superb catch off Mithali Ayodhya, diving to her right at mid-off, finished her innings on 12.

In the powerplay, Carter and Kathryn Bryce led the team to 45 for 1. Carter surpassed England's Danni Wyatt-Hodge's 193 runs to become the tournament's top run scorer at this time.

Sri Lanka applied the brakes

After the pitch restrictions were loosened, Sri Lanka returned. Kathryn managed just 23 off 23 before being caught and bowled by Kavisha Dilhari, despite hitting Athapaththu for a six and a four off consecutive balls in the ninth over.

Carter attempted to break the chains, but the boundary riders were too strong for her aerial shots to clear. She was once 18 out of 10, but over the next 26 deliveries, she was only able to manage 16 out of 10. Following the powerplay, Scotland was only able to score 43 in eight overs.

Sarah and Lister push Scotland over 150

With a fourth-wicket partnership of 53 in just 32 balls, Sarah Bryce and Ailsa Lister restarted the Scotland innings. After fielding the ball in her follow-through, Silva hit Lister directly at the non-striker's end, breaking the stand. Lister was run out for 26 off 17. Sarah continued even though Chatterji was run out on the same ball. In the last over, she hammered two fours off Ayodhya to help her team surpass 150. Scotland thus scored 63 in the final six overs.

Athapaththu's explosive beginning

Athapaththu was once again at the top of her attacking game after scoring an undefeated 106 against Ireland. She took down Gabriella Fontenla in the next over after hitting two fours off Kathryn in the first. In an 18-run over, she hit Fontenla three fours and a six. Athapaththu and Hasini Perera helped Sri Lanka surpass fifty in just 4.4 overs after Imesha Dulani was dismissed cheaply.

Scotland recovers

Fraser bowled Athapaththu from outside the wicket for 33 off 16 just as it appeared to be another simple chase for Sri Lanka. Similar to the first innings, Harshitha Samarawickrama's two fours off the first three balls demonstrated solid intent, but the scoring rate declined following the powerplay. It was 78 for 4 after Kathryn caught Perera at mid-off in the ninth over and Fraser caught Hansima Karunaratne leg before wicket in the tenth.

Fontenla lets the ball fall

Kavisha Dilhari and Harshitha Samarawickrama kept Sri Lanka running and reduced the score to 52 required from 48 balls. However, both failed in their attempts at aerial shots. The last thing Sri Lanka could afford was wickets. They had just four wickets available, even though they only required 34 from the final five overs.

Kirstie Gordon and Fraser bowled enough dots to put pressure on Sri Lanka. However, Gabriella Fontenla missed two catches in two overs with 27 needed from 18 balls. Kathryn was also under pressure in the penultimate over, giving up ten runs, two of which were wides. The seasoned Silva, on the other hand, remained composed and brought her side home with Sugandika.

South Africa defeats the Netherlands, improving NRR, thanks to a Brits 114*

Netherlands 120 for 8 (Molkenboer 41, Khurana 36, Khaka 3 for 19) was defeated by South Africa 208 for 1 (Brits 114*, Wolvaardt 45, Dercksen 37*) by 88 runs.

In a must-win and must-improve net-run-rate match against the Netherlands, Tazmin Brits scored the first century of her T20I career as South Africa recorded their second-highest total in the format. Despite not bowling out the Dutch, they managed to defend the total, becoming the third team to reach the top 200 in this event.

Tazmin Brits commemorates reaching her first T20I century

Back in her starting position, Brits and Laura Wolvaardt shared the highest stand of 121 runs, which gave South Africa a strong foundation. Annerie Dercksen joined the British after Wolvaardt was expelled for 45, and the two accelerated. They raised South Africa to 208 by scoring 87 runs at a run rate of 13.38 off 39 balls.

The Dutch openers put on their sixth-highest opening stand of 58, so their bowlers had a lot more work to do. The Netherlands had to bat to a revised target after being split up, as the required run rate had already risen to 12.5 per over. After Sterre Kalis and Molkenboer combined for 42 for the second wicket, the Netherlands collapsed. They were 120 for 8 at the close of the innings after losing eight wickets for 20 runs between the 15th and 20th overs, including three in the last over.

As a result, South Africa's net run rate is again in positive territory at 0.734, but they are still well behind India at 2.268.

Wolvaardt finds their connection with the Brits

Wolvaardt has had difficulty finding her touch at this competition, and Brits have had similar difficulties. After being benched for the first two games, she was compelled to play a little differently from her usual style while assisting Marizanne Kapp in rebuilding. When allowed to bat first, the two appeared to be attempting to work things out as a team. First up, Wolvaardt missed two short, wide deliveries, but the British punished a similar ball for the first four of the innings. Wolvaardt quickly reached her first four through mid-wicket, but it wasn't until the fifth over that she produced her trademark cover drive.

In the fifth over, Babette de Leede, desperate for a breakthrough, called in legspinner Silver Siegers, but she was too short and was hit for 17 runs. After the Powerplay, South Africa had won 66 straight games. Caroline de Lange created two opportunities, a stumping and a catch off Brits, who was on 46, but both were missed, causing them to slow down a little. Before they were split up when Wolvaardt attempted to hit another short, wide ball but feathered it behind, their partnership reached 121.

Dercksen performs at number three

Before this tournament, South Africa had no idea who their No. 3 was, but now they do. With two strong knocks at this competition, Annerie Dercksen has solidified her position. She had a good sense of the game's circumstances and a first-hand strike at the British while giving herself time to get her eye in. Before she applied pressure, Dercksen watched the British score 31 runs off 20 balls and was seven off the first six balls she faced. On the seventh ball she faced, she blasted Hannah Landheer over extra cover for six, which was her maiden boundary. After being dropped on 14, Dercksen took full use of the lifeline and finished with a strike rate of 231, scoring 23 runs off eight balls, including back-to-back fours against Iris Zwilling in the last over.

The Powerplay is enjoyed by the Dutch

In the second over, Phoebe Molkenboer sent Shabnim Ismail for back-to-back-to-back boundaries and showed no fear against the quickest bowler in the tournament, crushing any hopes South Africa had of defeating the Dutch. Molkenboer discovered and penetrated the openings on Ismail's leg side when she made the mistake of being too short and was struck three times on the leg side, as she has done throughout this tournament.

When Sanya Khurana, the other opener, edged Marizanne Kapp to slip, South Africa should have had her for three. Chloe Tryon ruined a straightforward opportunity. When South Africa had their first opportunity, Khurana hit Ayabonga Khaka on both sides of the wicket as she was having trouble finding her lines, forcing them to play. Not content to stop there, Khurana also faced Ismail, reaching 30 off 21 balls by lapping a yorker for four. After Powerplay, the Netherlands were 50-0 and at ease at the crease.

Once more, Ismail's short ball works and causes a breakdown

When Ismail was brought back to bowl her third over in the fifteenth over, it was clear that she had a strategy behind her persistence in using the short ball. On the 26th, she hit Kalis, who was cramped for space. Kalis went for the draw and gloved it to Sinalo Jafta, who ended Kalis' innings with a good catch. The Dutch collapsed after that wicket, losing their next eight wickets in 21 balls despite their batters' best efforts to finish forcefully. In her last over, Ayabonga Khaka claimed three wickets, including two in two balls, to close the innings.

India's chances of making the semifinals are maintained by Shafali and spinners

India defeated Bangladesh 136 for 8 (Ferdous 33, Sultana 32, Radha 3-28) by five wickets at 139 for 5 (Shafali 53, Rodrigues 26, Moni 2-29).

With a five-wicket victory against Bangladesh that appeared far better on the scorecard than on the pitch, a far from clinical India kept their semi-final qualification on track. To limit Bangladesh to a below-average 136 for 8 on a flat Old Trafford strip, India dropped three catches early on, misfielded a few times, profited from multiple lives while batting, and managed to seal the modest chase after pulling things back with the ball in the last overs.

Shafali Verma left for a flight

Although they lost more wickets than they would have preferred, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur completed the chase with 19 balls remaining after Shafali Verma led the charge with her second T20 World Cup half-century in three innings. India sits two points ahead of South Africa and Bangladesh in second place in Group 1, but their biggest game of the T20 World Cup is against Australia on Sunday, with a knockout spot on the line. With their final game against South Africa on Sunday at Lord's, Bangladesh's hopes were drastically reduced, but they are still in the running.

In four balls, India drops three catches

Under the scorching sun, India had a terrible start, and Bangladesh made them pay in the powerplay. Juairiya Ferdous hit the fast straight back for four in the fourth over shortly after Renuka Singh, who replaced Arundhati Reddy, had Dilara Akter caught at deep square leg. After Ferdous hoisted Renuka to deep midwicket three balls later, Radha Yadav, who had also dropped Marizanne Kapp twice in India's previous match, put down a simple chance, and the ball went through for four.

Nandani Sharma missed opportunities off Ferdous and Sobhana Mostary three balls into the subsequent over. Before Nandani was shifted to short third man in the first one, Mostary drove the ball uppishly on 1 at cover. But the ball followed Nandani when Ferdous skied one off a sweep, and she dove to her left, grabbed both hands, and then put it down again.

Mostary beat the point for four more after Ferdous middled the subsequent ball for a four on the leg side, increasing the run rate to 6.40 and making it 10 off the over.

India ultimately retaliates

Aside from the catching, India's lines and lengths were not quite correct. Mostary also advanced quickly, and the big-hitting Ferdous found the ropes against Shafali and Nandani. Nandani finally managed to hold onto the fastest catch of the day, snatching a return opportunity from Ferdous on 33, just as the second-wicket stand had crossed 50.

Soon after, Deepti Sharma made a simple catch at mid-off to dismiss her. Before Nigar Sultana made sure Bangladesh's scoring rate didn't decline following the wickets, Mostary was back for 22. Finding the gaps off Nandani, she bookended the 14th over with a 17-run over that gave her team another boost.

Bangladesh was on the verge of surpassing 140, but India's spinners pulled them back with a team effort. Radha, in the XI for Prema Rawat, and Shree Charani orchestrated a Bangladeshi collapse of 5 for 28 in the final four overs while Deepti dried up the runs.

In the powerplay, Shafali gives India 63

At the beginning of the chase, Bangladesh also emerged with gifts for India. In the first over, Sultana dropped Shafali on four. Later, he lost four off Smriti Mandhana's under edge, both off Marufa Akter. However, Bangladesh's catching wasn't as slow as India's. At the end of the third over, Rabeya Khan broke the opening stand of 31 with a forward dive at cover off Mandhana.

Up until that point, Shafali had taken the majority of the blow and had begun perfecting her 'V' swings. To give India a great start, she hit a six over long-on and then drove over the covers to mid-off in the second over. Shafali continued to blast the cover borders with her powerful bottom hand, making it difficult for Bangladesh to contain her. In contrast to Bangladesh's five fours in their first six, Shafali had struck seven fours and a six by the time she lofted Sanjida Akter over mid-off for consecutive fours, ending the powerplay with 63 on the board.

India stumbles to triumph

India would have wanted to cross the finish line with conviction shortly after Shafali reached a 29-ball fifty by hitting Rabeya for four. However, for the fourth consecutive game, their batting worries followed them. In an attempt to increase the NRR, India promoted Richa Ghosh over Jemimah Rodrigues when Shafali was stumped for 53 after she believed she had edged the ball past the keeper. Before India could reach 100, Ghosh and Yastika Bhatia were dismissed in consecutive overs, despite Ghosh's early two boundaries.

As the boundaries dried up and Harmanpreet and Rodrigues provided run-out opportunities that Bangladesh was unable to take advantage of, 98 for 4 might have easily turned into 103 for 5 or perhaps 104 for 5. Rodrigues almost faced her partner at the keeper's end in the first one, which was almost a gift. However, Nahida Akter was unable to catch the throw from short fine leg, and Rodrigues made it back with a dive.

Harmanpreet would have been well short of her ground at the bowler's end four balls later, but Shorna Akter missed the direct hit this time. Sensing some nervousness, Rodrigues brought India within nine runs of victory by scoring 20 runs off the next five balls she faced, including three fours and a six. But before Harmanpreet and Deepti concluded the match in the 17th over, Rodrigues was unable to keep the team going when she skied a catch to short third man.

England advances to the semi-final thanks to Wyatt-Hodge, Knight, and the bowlers.

West Indies 148 for 5 (Henry 51*, Dean 2-31, Bell 1-20) lost to England 186 for 7 (Wyatt-Hodge 64, Knight 43, Munisar 2-42) by 38 runs.

Danni Wyatt-Hodge's courageous half-century under difficult circumstances helped England defeat the West Indies by 38 runs, making them the first side to advance to the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals.

Danni Wyatt-Hodge achieved her second score of fifty or higher in the competition

Heather Knight's 43 off 26 deliveries helped Wyatt-Hodge post a 42-ball 65 on a sweltering evening at Lord's, where temperatures reached 34 degrees Celsius right before the toss.

Spinners Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, and Linsey Smith combined for four wickets as England's bowlers tied the West Indies down. Chinelle Henry and Jahzara Claxton of the West Indies persevered in a 63-run partnership for the fifth wicket, with Henry staying undefeated at 51.

Hayley Matthews, the captain of the West Indies and a crucial player, was given out caught behind for 14 on an England review earlier, which caused controversy since one camera angle appeared to indicate a discrepancy between the vision and UltraEdge. As a result, Matthews vigorously argued her position with the umpires both on and off the pitch. Her team is still in the running for the knockout stages even though her and her team's efforts were in vain.

The West Indies attack first

When she hit the match's fifth ball, Henry roared loudly. Amy Jones coaxed a drive that caught the edge and looped to Afy Fletcher at short third because it was a fuller one outside off-stump with a hint of away swing. However, Wyatt-Hodge settled in with a pull through midwicket and a top edge that beat Fletcher, and Henry gave up 17 runs off her subsequent over.

After Sophia Dunkley's reverse sweep for four, offspinner Ashmini Munisar entered the attack and reacted with a fuller ball that was too full for Dunkley's attempt to sweep, pinning her leg before the wicket. Wyatt-Hodge and Alice Capsey, however, outwitted the field despite the early wicket losses, leading England to their best powerplay of the tournament at 57 for 2.

Wyatt-Hodge does it once more

After enduring two lacklustre innings in between, Wyatt-Hodge backed up her century on opening night with another crucial performance, propelling her to the top of the tournament run-scoring standings. She used some classic and lofted drives to hammer the offside after punishing some short bowling early on. With a back-footed flip off the pads to cover, Wyatt-Hodge reached her fifty from 32 balls.

Capsey ended a 65-run partnership with Wyatt-Hodge for the third wicket after unfurling a beautiful reverse for four off Karishma Ramharack. Two deliveries later, Capsey advanced to a length ball and threw it to Henry at long-on. Both Wyatt-Hodge and Knight scored forty more runs, but Wyatt-Hodge lacked the legs in the sapping heat to reach the other end when they ran on Knight's cut straight to the cover fielder.

England won't have any late fireworks

When Matthews bowled Freya Kemp while she was trying to sweep on Saturday night at Headingley, the formidable partnership between Dani Gibson and Kemp would not be repeated. Knight survived a few near-misses before being driven out. On the penultimate ball of the innings, Gibson also fell cheaply, but the home team had already scored a lot.

The moment of Ashes for Matthews

Matthews tried to cut off Linsey Smith in the fourth over, but she was unfazed when England overturned a not-out judgement for caught behind. UltraEdge suggested a spike, although one angle on the replay revealed a gap between bat and ball, despite Matthews' insistence that she hadn't made contact with the ball. The West Indies captain spent a considerable amount of time arguing with the on-field umpires after TV umpire Nimali Perera declared Matthews out.

In the West Indies dugout, Matthews watched additional replays and spoke with the fourth umpire on the sidelines about his persistent disapproval of the call. When TV umpire Chris Gaffaney upheld Australia's Alex Carey's not-out call despite a distinct spike appearing several frames before the ball had passed the bat, it was similar to the Ashes Snicko controversy of the previous year. However, in this case, Matthews was out for 14 according to the scorecard.

The West Indies separated

Deandra Dottin helped herself to 15 runs off Dean's first four balls in the final over of the powerplay, including back-to-back fours and a powerful six over long-on. However, as Dottin attempted to clear long-on once more, Dean responded by tossing one up on middle and leg on the final ball. She spotted Capsey just inside the barrier after failing to fully connect.

After six overs, West Indies were 46 for 2, and England maintained control thanks to some economical bowling by Ecclestone and Dean's second wicket in as many balls when she had Jannillea Glasgow chopping on with the first ball of her next over.

When these teams last faced off at a T20 World Cup in 2024, England lost the game and the opportunity to advance to the knockout stage due to a string of fielding mistakes. Despite being a much better team, Claxton and Henry dug in, and the hosts wasted two opportunities in three balls.

Australia easily defeats Pakistan under Ellyse Perry's leadership

Australia defeated Pakistan 86 (Molineux 2-6, Perry 2-9, Sutherland 2-12) by 113 runs at 199 for 7 (Perry 71).

With a huge 113-run triumph over Pakistan, Ellyse Perry put on one of her best performances of a lengthy T20 World Cup career to help Australia win four straight games.

Ellyse Perry got off to a fast start in the power play

Perry scored 71 off 48 balls to lead her team to 199 for 7 on a batting-friendly pitch on a brilliant summer evening at Headingley. She and Georgia Voll shared a century partnership for the second wicket after Pakistan had made an early breakthrough by dismissing Beth Mooney's first delivery.

As Pakistan lost a steady stream of wickets, including two to Perry in her first over to finish with 2 for 9, Mooney bravely continued to keep wicket despite having twice dislocated her finger during Australia's fielding innings.

Pakistan were bowled out for just 86 with 6.2 overs remaining after Sophie Molineux and Annabel Sutherland each claimed two wickets, Mooney and Sutherland combined for the final wicket, and Sadia Iqbal was caught behind for a first-ball duck.

Perry continues to improve

Perry, who participated in all ten T20 World Cups, was at the top of her game, recording her first half-century in any of her fifty-one outings. As she skilfully targeted the holes, punished anything short, and used deft footwork to control the crease, she emanated sophistication. Her six over a leaping long on off Rameen Shamim was the ideal balance of strength, grace, and timing.

Before this innings, Perry's highest score in a T20 World Cup was 42 in a losing match against New Zealand in Nagpur in 2016. However, her 71 was not as high as her career highs of 75 and 72 not out, both of which she struck during Australia's 2022 tour of India. Since October 2023, it has been her first fifty in the format.

When Perry entered the attack in the tenth over, Pakistan was four wickets behind. Muneeba Ali hit a short ball straight to midwicket with the first ball, and she caught Aliya Riaz behind with the final one.

A boost to Pakistan's pace

On the opening ball of the game, Gull Feroza removed Mooney with a spectacular one-handed catch, diving to her right at slip to give Pakistan an advantage. Mooney had recovered from the back pain that caused her to retire hurt on 74 not out against the Netherlands on Saturday. However, her time at the crease was short this time, as she angled in and prodded at a Sadia Iqbal delivery outside off. Feroza plucked the ball from the air and held it firmly as she landed.

Voll and Perry seize control

But after that, Perry and Voll made their opponents' suffering even worse. Diana Baig, a seasoned seamer playing in her maiden tournament encounter, went for 19 off her first over, including three boundaries as Perry found her rhythm and five wides as wicketkeeper Muneeba failed to collect one down the leg side. Fatima Sana conceded 17 runs in the second over. Australia's score at the end of the power play was 64 for 1, which was their best for this tournament during that part of the innings.

Pakistan is lifted by Sandhu

As Pakistan continued their perfect start in the field, Nashra Sandhu's two wickets in three balls in the tenth over gave her team cause for jubilation. Ash Gardner was hit by a second-ball duck chipping to cow corner, while Voll attempted to get down the ground but holed out to long-off. Georgia Wareham and Sutherland were both dismissed by Shamim, the latter following a 44-run partnership with Perry, as Pakistan persisted in holding their catches. The crucial catch occurred as Pakistan reviewed after Perry gloved a Sana bouncer from behind. Muneeba slid forward and got her gloves under the ball as it died on her.

Beth is bulletproof.

The Australian team called Mooney's departure in the last game "precautionary", but on Tuesday night in Leeds, she showed remarkable bravery by keeping wicket despite having a dislocated finger replaced twice.

When Mooney first attempted to stop a wide delivery from Kim Garth to Muneeba, she was smacked in the fingertips of her right hand. Mooney was obviously in pain as team medical personnel adjusted her finger. She then put on the gloves once more, much to her relief. When she was hit again while trying in vain to get an edge from Muneeba, she had to have the same finger wrapped up. However, she persisted once more and was thereafter engaged in five dismissals.

Pakistan's run-outs rack up

Muneeba was engaged in two run outs before she hammered the next ball for six over deep midwicket. In the first, Voll shot the ball back to Garth, who flicked off the bails, and Muneeba reluctantly sent back opening partner Feroza after Mooney mishandled an attempt to gather down the leg side. Similar circumstances occurred when Molineux tossed the ball back to Mooney when Ayesha Zafar was out of her ground after she pushed a Lucy Hamilton delivery towards cover and started for a run, only to be sent back by Muneeba.

In the powerplay, Pakistan was able to reach 50 for 3, but the wickets kept falling, especially after Shamim hit Molineux to mid-on and was more than halfway down the pitch before captain Sana sent her back. Voll's throw to Mooney beat her by a considerable distance.

SL's chances for the semifinals are revived by Athapaththu Tonne

Sri Lanka defeated Ireland 130 for 5 (Lewis 59, Ayodhya 1-18) by nine wickets at 134 for 1 (Athapaththu 106*, Prendergast 1-22).

Sri Lanka scorched to the mark of 131 with 27 balls and nine wickets remaining against Ireland, with captain Chamari Athapaththu's ruthless 106 off 61 balls. It was brutal from beginning to end, and Athapaththu's fourth T20I century was her first in a World Cup. She had concluded the innings with an equally dominant stroke through the same area after starting it with a brilliant boundary through cover.

Sri Lanka got off to a fast start thanks to Chamari Athapaththu

Thanks in large part to a 59 off 50 from their own captain, Gaby Lewis, Ireland had recovered from a bad start to register 130 for 5. But in this mindset, Athapaththu was too strong for their bowlers, and only Orla Prendergast could make a breakthrough by getting rid of opener Imesha Dulani.

To maintain even their slim chances of qualifying for the semi-finals, Sri Lanka has to drastically increase their net run rate. With Scotland yet to play and other games still in the group, Athapaththu's innings has increased their NRR to less than negative.

Athapaththu lets loose

Athapaththu had referred to herself as a failure after the depressing defeat to the West Indies since she had never guided Sri Lanka to a World Cup semifinal. (However, she is the only captain to guide Sri Lanka to victory in the Asia Cup.) She appeared determined to at least keep Sri Lanka in the tournament during this innings. In the powerplay, she hit eight more boundaries, particularly the legside boundary, after drilling her first ball through cover.

When the pitch returned, she hardly slowed down. She continued to hammer Ireland's bowlers, reaching 50 off the 29th ball she faced. In the ninth over, she hit her career's 100th slog-swept six off Cara Murray. Her favoured hitting zones were the square leg, cover, and straight sections. Despite Prendergast's intermittent attempts to slow her down, she lionised Strike throughout, reaching triple figures off the 58th delivery she faced. She had scored 79% of Sri Lanka's runs by the end of their innings.

Gaby Lewis brings Ireland back to life

Ireland didn't score a run off the bat until the fourteenth ball of the innings. They had already lost two wickets by that point. Lewis found her timing when Rebecca Stokell was dismissed in the fifth over, despite Stokell's attempts to startle Ireland with boundaries down the ground. Throughout her innings, she continued to have success with the pull shot after hitting her first boundary, a pulled four, off the final ball of the powerplay. On the off side, she was equally powerful in the square of the wicket.

Leah Paul, who smashed 20 off 41, joined her in a 66-run fourth-wicket partnership. After Paul was dismissed, Lewis reached a half-century, although by British standards, he was clearly exhausted from the effort in hot weather. Alice Tector helped Ireland give the innings a last push with 28 off 21, but she faded late in the innings.

Once more, Kaushini excels behind the stumps

Kaushini Nuthyangana, the wicketkeeper-batter from Sri Lanka, has been having a fantastic campaign thus far and has quickly established herself in this game. Nuthyangana caught Amy Hunter centimetres short by swooping on the ball, turning, and throwing down the stumps as Ireland's openers took off for a leg bye in the first over. She also anticipated a scoop from Leah Paul, which she intercepted to take another wicket out of the air following a simple stumping to remove Prendergast.

Sharp and Halliday keep New Zealand's chances of making the semi-final alive by blunting Scotland

Scotland 131 for 7 (Carter 72*, S Bryce 25, M Kerr 3-17, Devine 2-19) was defeated by New Zealand 132 for 4 (Sharp 62, Halliday 41*, K Bryce 2-13, Slater 2-22) by six wickets.

At the Women's T20 World Cup 2026, New Zealand defeated Scotland after surviving a scare in the field and at the crease. They held Scotland to a manageable 131 for 7 after putting them in to bat and giving up 51 runs in the first seven overs. Considering the net run-rate, they would have preferred to finish off the total as soon as possible.

Izzy Sharp and Brooke Halliday contributed 101 for the fourth wicket

Scotland, however, had different thoughts. They may sniff their second victory of the season after taking three New Zealand wickets during the powerplay. However, the experience of New Zealand was evident. New Zealand completed the goal in the 19th over with Izzy Sharp's career-high 62 and Brooke Halliday's fourth-wicket stand of 101. Scotland was thus eliminated from consideration for the semifinals.

They will continue to compete for a semi-final position as a result of their net run rate moving into positive territory. However, New Zealand must defeat England this weekend and hope for other favourable outcomes.

In addition to their victory, New Zealand celebrated Lea Tahuhu's 100th T20I wicket on her tournament debut. Scotland might celebrate its own achievement. Despite having played one more innings, Darcey Carter has surpassed Smriti Mandhana as the tournament's top run scorer with her second half-century.

Two additional catches are dropped by NZ

New Zealand's campaign got off to a rough start, but they've shown that it's pointless to dwell on the past. However, the quantity of missed opportunities will cause considerable annoyance. After putting Scotland into bat and creating an early opportunity, they put one down after dropping 10 catches in their first three games. One of the tournament's most impressive seamers, Bree Illing, got an inside edge off Katherine Fraser, who had not yet scored. However, New Zealand wicketkeeper Isabella Gaze missed a straightforward opportunity.

Fraser was eventually caught at extra cover for seven after failing to establish consistency throughout her innings. As a result, the harm was little on an individual basis but expensive for the partnership. Carter contributed 41 of the 51 runs that Scotland's opening partnership scored in seven overs.

Following Fraser's dismissal, Scotland was pulled back by New Zealand. In nine overs, they were 58 for 2 as Kathryn Bryce was caught at deep-backward square leg off a googly from Melie Kerr. However, the fielding virus quickly reappeared. Nensi Patel was unable to cling onto a normal opportunity, but Carter, who had been denied a strike through the middle overs, cut Melie to backward point when on 47.

Devine pulls it back, Spinners

Carter slowed down from 35 off 18 balls to 54 in 39 as New Zealand starved her of the strike. However, with Sarah Bryce leading the way with 25 off 21 deliveries, New Zealand called for Sophie Devine's intervention in the 15th over. She responded to the call right away and played all around a straight ball, pinning Sarah on the pad with her first ball.

After four balls, Devine was sent directly to Melie at long-on by Ailsa Lister, giving her a second wicket and giving New Zealand a chance to rejoin the match. Nensi bowled Megan McColl in the following over, and then Devine and the offspinner applied the squeeze.

Before Melie came on to bowl the penultimate over, Scotland had only managed to score 25 runs in the four overs they bowled in tandem. Priyanaz Chatterji made four unsuccessful attempts to sweep her before being out lbw on the fourth try. Then, Pippa Sproul chipped Melie to Jess Kerr at mid-off, leaving Scotland at 121 for 7. This was a Kerr double act. Melie and Nensi captured four wickets while bowling eight overs for forty-two runs. Scotland finished undefeated at 72 as Carter helped them score ten runs off the final over.

Scotland dominates New Zealand's top tier

Only three runs were scored in the first over bowled by Kirstie Gordon, frustrating New Zealand early on as they focused on improving their net run rate and getting rid of the total as soon as they could. However, Scotland, who were only defending 131, got off to a great start when they eliminated Devine, Gaze, and Melie, who had elevated herself to open the batting, during the powerplay.

In her opening two overs, Kathyn Bryce scored twice: once when Melie chipped her to mid-on and again when Gaze attempted to clear mid-on but was only able to locate the fielder. Then, Rachel Slater delivered a stunning ball that sneaked through the space between bat and pad and tucked back into Devine. A huge upset was imminent as New Zealand were 26 for 3 in the sixth over.

NZ stay Sharp to take two points

Sharp, the leading scorer for New Zealand versus Ireland, demonstrated her willingness to keep New Zealand in the game by hitting two boundaries straight down after the early carnage. She appeared increasingly at ease on a surface that most batters required time to get used to, sending Gordon over midwicket and Carter off her pads over short fine leg.

Halliday, a left-hand hitter, was Sharp's companion, and the two worked well together, just as they did against Ireland. Following the second drinks break of the innings, they gained momentum when Halliday struck Hannah Rainey for consecutive boundaries in the fifteenth over. When Sharp hit Gordon's leg side for her seventh four off the 38th ball, she reached fifty. New Zealand needed 13 off 18 balls before the end of that over, and for the first time, the demand was less than a run per ball.

South Africa overcomes India after falling behind because to Kapp's 81*

Marizanne Kapp led South Africa to a six-wicket victory over India in what was described as the greatest group stage match, marking a significant stride towards the semi-final. In her debut match in the tournament, she teamed up with Tazmin Brits to lead South Africa to a six-wicket victory after helping them recover from 25 for 2 inside the powerplay to chase down 159 runs.

Although Kapp and the Brits scored 97 for the third wicket, there were some opportunities during their time together. Kapp finished on an undefeated 81 off 45 balls to carry South Africa home after offering two difficult chances on 9 and 25 and one easy one on 65. By getting 44 runs off of Deepti Sharma's four overs, they also eliminated India's main ball danger.

India may view their batting effort as the reason they lost the game on a brand-new Old Trafford pitch after deciding to score runs. None of their lineup could get going after a brilliant start, and Shafali Verma's 31 was their highest score. In addition to being South Africa's most economical bowler with 2 for 27 in four overs, Kapp was essential to the squeeze.

With South Africa and India both having four points, the outcome keeps the group alive. While South Africa's remaining matches are against Bangladesh and the Netherlands, India must defeat both Bangladesh and Australia.

With the bat, India is off to a wild start

As Kapp drifted onto the pads, Shafali, in typical daring fashion, started India's boundary count with a clip through short fine-leg. However, Shafali truly benefited when Shabnim Ismail gave her more speed. Before passing the ball to Smriti Mandhana, who smashed Ismail through the covers and then swivel-pulled her through fine leg to take 14 runs off her first over, she located the gap at cover point.

Mandhana's inventiveness persisted as she tried to ramp Kapp but was unsuccessful after walking down the track to hit her through mid-on. For whatever reason, Shafali went all over Chloe Tryon after she was given the fourth over. South Africa appeared to be at a loss as she utilised her feet effectively and scored 14 runs off the first three balls. After four overs, India was 47 for 1.

South Africa pulls India back with an unexpected wicket

South Africa had a lucky break just when it appeared that Shafali had escaped them. Ismail bowled the fourth ball in her second over instead of the bouncer. Shafali thought about pursuing it, but as he attempted to escape the shot, he stumbled. Replays from South Africa revealed that Shafali had gloved the ball through to Sinalo Jafta as she regained her footing. In the eleventh over, India was reduced to 82 for 4 as Yastika Bhatia, who was selected ahead of Bharti Fulmali, was out lbw to Ayabonga Khaka's second delivery, and Jemimah Rodrigues was caught off a leading edge by Nadine de Klerk.

India ultimately stifled

Now it was up to the skilled hands of Deepti and Harmanpreet Kaur, and the captain of India began the match with a boundary against Tryon. Before Harmanpreet needed medical attention on the pitch, they battled Mlaba together for a 12-run over. After only two balls, she chopped onto Ismail's wobble-seam delivery for twenty-four. Deepti was obliged to play a tumbling sweep for a catch to short fine leg with a packed leg-side pitch after South Africa's lines choked Richa Ghosh. India only scored 36 runs off the bat in the final four overs after Ghosh also gave a catch to short fine leg off Kapp's slower one in the final over.

With the ball, India is likewise off to a wild start

With their captain, Laura Wolvaardt, still having trouble speaking fluently, South Africa had an entirely different start to their innings as they failed to get India away. When she attempted to take on N. Shree Charani, she was on 20 off 19 balls. The left-arm spinner made a sharp return catch after she smacked the ball straight back to him. Annerie Dercksen almost immediately went for a big shot, played across the line, and was bowled, which improved Charani's over. South Africa was far below the necessary run rate at 25 for 2 as the powerplay finished with a wicket maiden.

Brits and Kapp turn it on

Despite having the experience of Kapp and the tenacity of a returning British team, South Africa was far off the pace at 45 for 2 after nine overs. In Prema Rawat's opening over, Kapp scored ten runs off the first two balls, including the ramp that she would grow to love throughout the game. Before she confronted Deepti and hit her over long-on for six, the Brits waited a while. After being dismissed lbw on 28, the Brits properly reviewed, and their stand reached 50 in the 12th over. Even when they were unable to establish limits, neither Kapp nor the Brits let the opportunities they presented to India impede them.

They took 16 runs off Arundhati Reddy in the fifteenth over, which was their big moment. After the British hit her back over her head for four, Kapp swept her for consecutive boundaries and scooped her over well, ending South Africa's chase.

For the West Indies, Matthews and Taylor make it three in three

The West Indies defeated Sri Lanka 98 (Nilakshika 30, Matthews 3-15) by five wickets at 99 for 5 (Taylor 35*, Dilhari 2-22).

In Bristol, West Indian spinners stifled Sri Lanka's batsmen to secure a third consecutive victory. Stafanie Taylor then led a tense chase to win by five wickets. As a result, the West Indies and England are tied for first place in Group 2, only separated by net run rate, while Sri Lanka's chances of advancing were severely damaged.

With the new ball, Hayley Matthews claimed three wickets

West Indies' effort was greatly aided by Hayley Matthews, who may have set up the victory on the first power play. The West Indies reduced Sri Lanka to 24 for 4 during the power play after forcing them to bat, a position from which they never fully recovered. Mathews recorded an innings-best 3 for 15.

Then, with the bat, Matthews contributed to a 28-run opening partnership with Deandra Dottin. Although Sri Lanka continued to take wickets during the middle overs, a combination of subpar catching, an abundance of extras, and Taylor's management made sure the West Indies' chase was never really threatened.

SL suffers from profligacy

When defending a poor total, even on a field where batting isn't the simplest, it's important to seize all possibilities, and Sri Lanka did just that after being bowled out for 98.

However, Sri Lanka gave up too many free runs while also finding it difficult to take advantage of the possibilities presented to them. Thirteen of the twenty-three extras that were given away over the innings were wides.

In addition, Sri Lanka lost three catches during the innings, two of which occurred soon after a wicket fell. In a low-scoring match, momentum is crucial, and Sri Lanka was guilty of losing it too quickly. Additionally, there were a few near-runout opportunities that failed miserably.

As a result, the West Indies, who had been anxious during their chase, were not penalised for their errors, which were caused by pressure from Sri Lankan bowlers and fielders in addition to their expensive mistakes.

Cool Taylor completes it

Most teams would benefit from having someone with Taylor's experience in the middle order, and she once again proved her worth on Sunday. The West Indies have fallen from 2 for 36 to 5 for 70 following a strong opening partnership. The remaining 29 runs might have felt closer to 50 with a few more wickets.

But Taylor provided exactly the composure needed in such a circumstance, satisfied to skilfully spin the strike and make sure there were no more mishaps. Although it was only six of the game, her six from a free hit demonstrated her ability to take advantage of the circumstances. She scored the winning runs, fittingly, and was crucially dropped at midwicket.

WI wins the game

Since the conclusion of the last T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka has averaged just over 6 runs per over against spin, and with a team full of spin options, the West Indies were well-positioned to take advantage of that possible vulnerability.

Matthews, the captain, was first on that list. He opened the bowling and scored three runs in a three-over performance during the power play. She effectively didn't try to do too much on a tacky surface, just keeping her lines and lengths neat.

Vishmi Gunaratne gave away a leading edge, which Matthews memorably grabbed out of the sky, during a spell that devastated the Lankan innings before it had even really started. Chamari Athapaththu went far too early on a pull as she saw her left bail dislodged. Harshitha Samarawickrama, on the other hand, battled to keep down a straight-to-point cut because she was done in by some extra bounce.

With just 24 runs scored, Sri Lanka have lost their fourth wicket during the powerplay when Chinelle Henry caught Imesha Dulani at mid-on.

Sri Lanka lost seven of their ten wickets to spin before being bowled out for 98 with two balls remaining. Ashmini Munisar, who was called into the XI to provide even more spin options, and Karishma Ramharack each claimed three wickets.

Nilakshika is the only spark.

Nilakshika de Silva set out to save the ages because the top and middle orders were not providing much in the way of encouragement.

Her two stands of 34 and 23 with Kavisha Dilhari and Kawya Kavindi accounted for most of her 30 off 26. As Sri Lanka's innings stumbled into motion, there were only three double-digit partnerships during that time.

However, the batting came to a complete stop once more after Nilakshika stumbled while attempting to confront the fielder at deep square leg. Without Nilakshika, Sri Lanka's middle overs yielded 60 for 3, but the West Indies' spinners tightened their grip on the match with just 15 runs in the final overs.

England wins three straight thanks to Dunkley, Kemp, and Gibson

England defeated Scotland 162 for 7 (S. Bryce 34, Ecclestone 2-23) by 38 runs at 200 for 5 (Dunkley 57, Capsey 40, Kemp 39*, Gibson 30*, Gordon 2-30).

Sophia Dunkley's timely half-century and Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson's boundary blitz helped England defeat Scotland by 38 runs, maintaining their undefeated start to the Women's T20 World Cup.

Due to captain Nat Sciver-Brunt's calf injury, Dunkley was called up at No. 3 for her maiden tournament match, but she made good on her return to the England team with 57 off 37 balls. On a beautiful summer's evening at Headingley, that provided Kemp and Gibson with a great starting point for their uninterrupted sixth-wicket partnership of 61 off just 21 balls as the hosts reached 200 for 5.

In place of the injured Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophia Dunkley scored 57 off 37

Former England left-arm spinner Kirstie Gordon, who returned to Scotland before this World Cup, got off to a strong start with a wicket on the first ball on her way to 2 for 30. But her side was far less secure in the field than they had been in their spirited seven-run defeat to the West Indies earlier in the week, with a flurry of blunders costing them.

With a formidable task ahead of them, Scotland got off to a strong start, matching England in the powerplay, but Sophie Ecclestone's two wickets in nine balls put her team on the right track.

Gordon gives me headaches in the morning

Scotland made early progress against the opposition, much as they had done against the West Indies. Amy Jones's half-hearted drive looped up to extra cover after Gordon flung the match's opening ball outside of her off stump. A diving Megan McColl joyfully caught the offering low to the ground as it dipped right in front of her.

When Dunkley swept Kathryn Bryce to short fine leg on 4 in the third over, and Priyanaz Chatterji used her left hand to make what would have been a fantastic diving catch, they very nearly had another. However, as she went to ground, she spilt the ball, and Dunkley then hit the second ball over wide long-on for six.

It wasn't until after the power play that Gordon was reintroduced into the assault, and she hit first ball once more. When her great buddy Dunkley established her rhythm, Danni Wyatt-Hodge was limited to a supporting role. She was on 7 off 11 balls when she chipped to Kathryn Bryce at mid-on after reaching for a short ball outside off.

Dunkley takes action

After a poor summer in which she scored just 98 runs in six Twenty20 International innings against New Zealand and India with a maximum score of 26, Dunkley was ignored for the tournament's opening two games. However, she hit three fours in four balls from Gabriella Fontenla and another from Kathryn Bryce in the following over, suggesting that her early reprieve had sparked something.

By the end of the power play, England was 51 for 1, and Dunkley was undefeated on 47 off 25 balls. As a wave of fielding mistakes swept through the Scotland camp, she kept riding her luck. She chopped a wide one from Chatterji through point to get her half-century off 33 balls. Dunkley finished her knock by taking out Hannah Rainey on the boundary at deep backward square while shuffling over her stumps to slog-sweep Kathryn Bryce.

England locates their finishers

Rainey, who replaced injured left-arm seamer Rachel Slater in the Scotland XI, delivered a gem on top of off stump to Alice Capsey, who had contributed a 40 from 25 balls. A new combination met at the crease and lit up the night when Heather Knight selected a short, beautiful leg off Chatterji.

After both players battled back stress injuries last year, England had been waiting for the Kemp-Gibson union. The pair began peppering the boundaries when England was 139 for 5 in the middle of the 17th over, leading their team to the 200-mark for the fourth time in this version of the T20 Women's World Cup and only the fifth time by any team overall.

As Kemp bookended a four off a full toss with sixes down the ground and slog-swept into the bleachers, Kathryn Bryce gave up 20 off the 18th over. Then Gibson entered the next over, which was bowled by Gordon. He instantly hit a stunning 86-meter maximum straight down the ground and into the second tier of seats after hitting back-to-back fours. With her sixth boundary in 11 balls, Gibson ended the innings and set the score for Scotland's response.

Too much work

When Ecclestone pinned back Kathryn Bryce's middle stump while she was trying to sweep, she achieved her 150th wicket in Twenty20 Internationals. Ecclestone took the pace off one that spun sharply to beat the bat and crash into the leg stump, but Darcey Carter, who had made a half-century while battling cramp against the West Indies, was looking good again.

Once more, Gibson and Kemp worked together to eliminate McColl, who was picked out just inside the deep square leg barrier. Then, with a beautiful back-cut over point for six against Lauren Bell, Sarah Bryce produced a promising 34 off 24. However, it turned out to be Scotland's highest score when she holed out to Gibson at deep midwicket off Smith. On the final ball of the game, Pippa Sproul, who had replaced Ailsa Lister in the lineup, was run out.