ICC Women's T20 World Cup - European Qualifier, Rotterdam
Netherlands 157-7 (20 overs): Babette de Leede 52 (42)
Italy 114-8 (20 overs): Annie Wikman 37 (29), Chloe Piparo 22 (24); Iris Zwilling 2-23
Netherlands won by 43 runs
The hosts, Netherlands, got the European qualifier for the 2026 Women's T20 underway with a 43-run win against Italy before Ireland bolted to a 10-wicket win over Germany in the second match of the opening day of the tournament in Rotterdam.
The Netherlands were asked to bat after Italy skipper Emilia Bartram won the toss. Having lost the openers Heather Siegers and Phebe Molkenboer in the powerplay. Captain Babette de Leede once again stepped up to the occasion and anchored through the majority of the innings. She notched her third T20I half-century of this year and top scored for them with 52 from 42 balls before she was bowled by Emma Moore. Valuable contributions also came from Robine Rijke, Myrthe van den Raad and Iris Zwilling. The home side posted a competitive total of 157-7.
In reply, Italy were never really threatened to chase down the total as they struggled to build momentum and find boundaries, consistently falling behind the required run rate. Their efforts, while persistent, lacked the decisive attacking play that characterized their opponents' innings.
Netherlands, conversely, demonstrated superior strategic play and execution, utilizing their collective experience to control the game's tempo and apply constant pressure. This disparity in experience and tactical acumen ultimately proved to be the deciding factor. Although Annie Wikman tried with her innings of 37 from 29 balls, it arrived a little too late to cause any problems for Netherlands, eventually being restricted to 114-8, resulting in a 43-run loss.
ICC Women's T20 World Cup - European Qualifier, Rotterdam
Germany 62 (18.2 overs): Christina Gough 28 (39)
Ireland 63-0 (7.3 overs): Amy Hunter 31* (23), Gaby Lewis 29* (22); Laura Delany 4-9
Ireland won by 10 wickets
In the second fixture of the day, Ireland proved to be too strong for Germany. Laura Deanly’s classy bowling performance of 4/9 dismantled Germany's innings bundling them out for a paltry 63.
Laura Deanly delivered a masterful bowling performance, securing an impressive 4 wickets for just 9 runs. Her exceptional skill proved instrumental in dismantling Germany's innings, as they were bundled out for a meager total of 63 runs.
The chase was never in doubt as the number 9 ranked side in the world hunted down the total with relative ease in only 7.3 overs. Openers Amy Hunter (31* off 23) and Gaby Lewis (29* off 22) ensured Ireland had all their wickets intact.
A sterner test awaits on Thursday as Netherlands take on Ireland in the morning game, with Italy playing Germany in the afternoon.
