ICC Women's T20 World Cup - European Qualifier, Rotterdam
Ireland 175-6 (20 overs): Laura Delany 91, Amy Hunter 62; Emilia Bartram 2-23
Italy 142-9 (18 .3 overs): Annie Wikman 53, Chloe Piparo 36; Freya Sargent 3-38
Ireland won by 33 runs
Ireland signed off their Women’s T20 World Cup European qualifying campaign in style on Wednesday, sealing a sixth win from as many matches with a 33-run victory over Italy in Rotterdam.
With their place at the final global qualifier in Nepal already secured, Ireland opted to rest captain Gaby Lewis and all-rounder Orla Prendergast. In their absence, Arlene Kelly took charge for the first time, while Amy Hunter and Laura Delany powered the batting efforts.
The pair combined for a superb 139-run stand for the second wicket, Hunter making 62 off 51 deliveries while Delany led the way with a sparkling 91 featuring 13 boundaries, falling agonisingly short of a maiden international hundred. A late collapse of five wickets within 13 balls stalled Ireland’s momentum, but they still posted an imposing 175-6.
Annie Wikman and Chloe Piparo responded brilliantly for Italy, smashing 80 runs in 8 overs. Italy raced to 110-2 in the 13th over to keep the chase alive. However, Ireland’s young bowlers turned the tide, with Lara McBride and Freya Sargent sharing five wickets between them to halt the charge and derail Italy's run chase.
The result capped off a flawless campaign for Ireland, who head into January’s global qualifier in Nepal full of confidence. For her all-round performance, Delany was named Player of the Tournament.
ICC Women's T20 World Cup - European Qualifier, Rotterdam
Netherlands 175-4 (20 overs): Phebe Molkenboer 91* (66), Frederique Overdijk 36 (24); Rameesha Shahid 2-27
Germany 110-1 (20 overs): Wilhelmina Hornero-Garcia 51* (57), Rameesha Shahid 33 (45); Hannah Landheer 1-19
The Netherlands won by 65 runs
The Netherlands defeated Germany by 65 runs, securing their place in the Global Qualifiers of 2026 Women's World Cup by finishing second in the European Qualifiers. It was Germany's sixth loss in as many games in the tournament and they finished the campaign without a win.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Netherlands lost a wicket in the first over with Rameesha Shahid striking early. Shahid then picked up the crucial wicket of the captain, Babette De Leede before she could get going and ended with figures of 2-27. This did not prove to be enough as opener Phebe Molkenboer went on to score a magnificent 91 runs from 66 balls without losing her wicket. She managed to form significant partnerships with Robin Rijke (13) and Frederique Overdijk (36), bringing the total to 175 runs at the end of 20 overs.
The Dutch bowlers put massive pressure on the German batting lineup from the first ball, keeping the scoring rate below a run a ball. Wilhelmina Hornero-Garcia scored an unbeaten half-century, batting through the innings with 51 runs off 57 balls. Her opening partner, Shahid, completed her all-round performance by scoring 33 runs in a 74-run opening stand. Hannah Landheer took the only wicket for the Netherlands as the Germans finished the match with 110 runs.
This result sees Italy knocked out of the tournament, with the Netherlands joining Ireland in the Global Qualifiers in Nepal next year. After securing second place in the European Qualifiers, the Netherlands find themselves one step closer to qualification for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England.
