As the Women’s T20 European Qualifier gets underway in Rotterdam, individual brilliance could tilt the balance between four competitive sides chasing a spot at the Global Qualifiers. Here are five players in form who carry the weight of their team’s hopes:

1. Chloe Piparo (Italy)

Chloe Piparo has begun her Italy career in a rollicking manner, bludgeoning 133 runs at an average of 133 and strike rate of 140. Bringing valuable experience from high-level domestic cricket in Australia through WNCL and WBBL, Piparo has fast become the mainstay of Italy’s batting. Her commanding 74* off 55 balls vs Germany, was a standout performance that helped secure Italy's unbeaten run in Division 2. Italy will be hoping for their star batter to come good and draw upon her experience when they come up against more fancied opponents in Netherlands and Ireland.

2. Babette de Leede (Netherlands)

Babette de Leede wears multiple hats for this Dutch side. With the duties of captaincy, wicket-keeping and being one of the in form batters, Babette is the central figure of this Dutch side. Since taking over the helm in October 2024, she’s been in good touch, leading the Netherlands to four wins in six T20Is on their Nepal tour in early 2025. Her consistency at the top gives the hosts stability and confidence. She has already knocked off two fifties in nine innings this year and will be keen to add more on her home soil and guide her side to the Global Qualifiers.

3. Gaby Lewis (Ireland)

Ireland’s captain, Gaby Lewis, has been in red-hot form. Having amassed 154 runs in the 3-match T20I series against Zimbabwe in July 2025, finishing as the top scorer and earning Player of the Series honors. Lewis might not have had a big innings against the Pakistan series but had a couple of decent outings, however, beating Pakistan (2-1) would have done a world of good to their confidence.

Earlier, during the Bangladesh tour in late 2024, she was Ireland’s joint top run-scorer in the T20Is with 95 runs. Her fearless strokeplay makes her one of the most dangerous openers (along with Amy Hunter) in the tournament. With over a decade long experience behind her, Lewis will be keen to take Ireland to the next round and closer to the 2026 T20 World Cup, having missed out on qualifying for the T20 World Cup 2024. 

4. Orla Prendergast (Ireland)

Orla Prendergast has been Ireland’s talisman for quite some time now. An all-round dynamo, she continues to deliver with bat and ball. The 23-year-old comes into the tournament, on the back of some stellar form having earned the Player of the Series award against Pakistan. Topping both runs and wickets with 144 runs and 4 wickets, Prendergast is a true match-winner in the truest sense.

Previously during a tour in Bangladesh, she was the leading wicket-taker in the T20Is with 10 wickets, anchoring Ireland’s bowling attack. Her dual-threat capability makes her Ireland’s most versatile weapon.

5. Janet Ronalds (Germany)

With a wealth of experience to draw upon, Janet Ronalds is perhaps one of the most well known names amongst Germany Cricket. Ronalds is nearing the 40-year-old mark but the age seems to have no bearing on the all-round contributions that she delivers consistently for her side. Ronalds opens the bowling and bats in the middle order. She had some notable performances in the Division 2 qualifiers bagging 2 Player of the Match awards in the four games during the tournament. If Germany has to punch above their weight and take down higher ranked teams in Ireland and Netherlands, the hopes will once again hinge on the broad shoulders of Ronalds.