A good effort in the field by Ireland to restrict Bangladesh to 120 with Laura Delany taking three wickets at the back end of the innings ensuring that the tail did not wag. Fargana Hoque top scoring for Bangladesh with 61 while Arlene Kelly and Cara Murray each picked up a couple of the early wickets. Gaby Lewis went early again for just a single boundary, Amy Hunter and Orla Prendergast followed in quick succession and from there on it was a struggle. 'Spin to win' from Bangladesh and it did the job perfectly. It was hard to see how Ireland were going to recover from those early setbacks and with the Bangladesh spinners strangling the scoring rate the margin of victory flattered Ireland. They will look back and think that it would only have taken someone at the top of the order to get 20 or 30 to win this one. Arlene Kelly top scoring with 28* coming in at number 9 just about says it all. The consolation of course is that Ireland were already on the plane to South Africa with their semi-final win and they will be happy with that I'm sure.

An excellent total by the Scots with Kathryn Bryce's 63* off 47 ball (9x4) leading the way. Brisk runs too for Saskia Horley with 44 off 32 (7x4). Sabona Jimmy and Ravina Oa with a couple of wickets each for the Barramundis. But it wasn't enough! PNG set off quickly in the chase and never let the run rate get to unmanagable figures. In the end a perfectly paced chase with Tanya Ruma 63* off 31 (8x4, 2x6) and Brenda Tau 41* also off 31 (4x4) combining in an unbroken third wicket partnership of exactly 100 to claim fifth place in the Tournament.

Kellis Ndlovu and Sharne Mayers got Zimbabwe off to the kind of start they hoped for, adding 46 at a run-a-ball but it required Chipo Tiripano's 39* off 27 balls (6x4) to get them to their 118/6 off their alotted overs. For Thailand the wickets were shared with only Thipatcha Putthawong claiming more than one. The Thai reply started well with Nannapat Koncharoenkai (42) and Natthankan Chantham (39) taking the total to 76 before the first wicket fell. At that stage 43 were required from the final six overs with skipper Naruemol Chaiwai at the crease, but her partners used up deliveries and even her 25 off 15 (4x4) was not enough to get Thailand home, as she was dismissed off the final delivery still 7 runs short of the Zimbabwe total.

UAE scored 2 off the final delivery and 11 off the final over to creep past the USA by 5 wickets. USA were looking for a double over the UAE on the trip having beaten them by 25 runs in the Quad Series that preceeded the World Cup Qualifier. Lisa Ramjit's 48* was the backbone of the USA innings and for a long time it looked like a defendable total. UAE openers Esha Oza and Theertha Satish added 51 for the first wicket at a run-a-ball but steady bowling and a dearth of boundaries after Oza's departure meant that they went into the last over needing what at that stage looked an unlikey 11 runs to win. A boundary off the first delivery eased some of the pressure but Samaira Dharnidharka required a two off the fifth and another off the final delivery to seal the win and leave USA bottom of the pile.

Bangladesh survived a late assault to beat Thailand by 11 runs and seal their berth at the 2023 T20 World Cup next February in South Africa. The Tigresses had posted 113 for 5, and with runs hard to come by in the chase, it seemed as if it would be a routine win. However, Natthakan Chantham hit an excellent 64 to have the contest evenly poised, but Thailand left themselves just too much to do in the second half of the innings, Bangladesh will meet Ireland in Sunday's final in a repeat of the 2015 decided in Bangkok.

Ireland held their nerve to edge out Zimbabwe by four runs in a tense semi-final to book their slot at the 2023 T20 World Cup in Cape Town. Batting first Ireland laid a solid base with runs at the top of the order from Orla Prendergast (28), Laura Delany (22) and Amy Hunter (19). The match defining innings came from Rebecca Stokell, who struck two sixes in a whirlwind unbeaten 26 from just 12 balls, which propelled the Irish to 137 for 6. Zimbabwe will reflect on a litany of missed opportunities which would cost them dearly in the final analysis. Player-of-the-Match Jane Maguire (2-18) bowled superbly in the chase, but the Africans kept themselves in contention with runs from Sharne Mayers (39) and Mary-Anne Musonda (31). Arlene Kelly (2-27), Eimear Richardson (1-25) and skipper Delany all kept their cool in the pressure situation, closing out the game to seal the win to spark off great celebrations.

Half centuries from Alice Lister and Kathryn Bryce set up Scotland for a resounding 85-run over UAE. Lister top-scored with 60, while Bryce made a fluent 51. There were runs too for Sarah Bryce (31*) and Saskia Horley (20) as the Scots posted 172 for 4. The hosts got off to a steady start with Satish (34) and Mughal (25) batting well. However, they collapsed to 87 all out with two wickets apiece for Katie McGill, Abitha Maqsood, and Kathryn Fraser.

PNG will meet Scotland in the play-off final after they completed a thumping 7-wicket win against USA. The States could only muster 76 for 9 in their innings with three wickets for Araa, and two apiece for Oa and Jimmy. The chase took just 11 overs with Jimmy hitting 33 in a one-sided encounter.

Half centuries from Player of the Match Gaby Lewis and Orla Prendergast took Ireland Women to a 19-run win over Scotland which sealed a semi-final berth for Ed Joyce's side. YMCA opener Lewis struck 13 boundaries in a top-score of 66 from just 37 balls to give Ireland the quick start they wanted after Amy Hunter (3) had gone cheaply. Lewis added 62 with Orla Prendergast, with the latter taking the mantle with skipper Laura Delany after Lewis departed. The pair added a further 63 to take the Irish to 164 for 3, with Prendergast making an unbeaten 55 from 46 balls (6 fours,1 six), and Delany 29. Two wickets for Jane Maguire had Scotland on the back foot and with the required rate soon climbing above 10, it was always a tough ask. Sarah Bryce made a fluent 49, but when she became the second of two wickets for Cara Murray (2-27), Scotland's hopes ended. Abbi Aitken-Drummond (23) struck a few late blows but all in vain as Ireland closed out the win. Ireland will likely face Zimbabwe in Friday's semi-final, with group winners Bangladesh in line to face Thailand. The semi-finalists will be confirmed later on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day was a dead rubber encounter between Bangladesh and the disappointing USA side. Bangladesh batted first and scored 158-1 from their 20 overs with Murshida Khatun (77) and Nigar Sultana (56) putting on an unbroken 148 for the second wicket. The Americans lost three cheap wickets early in their reply but batted out their overs to score 103-3 with Sindhu Sriharsha scoring an unbeaten 74 in the 55 run defeat.

Zimbabwe batted first in the other Group B match against the UAE and scored 120-7 from their 20 overs. A 57 run partnership between Esha Oza and Kavisha Egodage helped them reach 61 when Oza was the second player out in the UAE reply having scored 36 from 26 balls. Egodage held firm as wickets fell around her and was unbeaten on 40 heading into the final over from which the UAE needed 14 runs. Zimabwe's Nomvelo Sibanda then had a final over to forget. Two leg byes followed by two singles and a dot left UAE needing ten from four balls before the batters managed to run three from a wide delivery. Number eight batter Vaishnave Mahesh ran two from the penultimate ball before hitting the required four runs from the final delivery to secure a four wicket win, UAE's first win over a full member in women's cricket.

The group stage of this year's qualifier for the next women's T20 World Cup concluded today with Thailand the only associate side still in contention for next year's main event. Thailand secured their spot in the semis this evening. Batting first in a deciding game against Papua New Guinea, their top order struggled but an unbeaten 36 from number 7 Chanida Sutthiruang helped them record 93-8 from their 20 overs. Some tight bowling from Thailand, particularly Nattaya Boochatham (4-8) helped keep PNG to 81-6 as Thailand completed a 12 run win.

Ireland eased to a comprehensive 9-wicket win over USA to set up a winner-takes-all clash with Scotland for a semi-final berth on Wednesday. A fine bowling display was backed by the fielders - four run outs restricting their opponents to 91. There were two wickets apiece for Arlene Kelly (2-17) and Eimear Richardson (2-19), while skipper Laura Delany strangled the innings, conceding just six runs in her four over spell. The chase was a nerveless one, with Gaby Lewis top-scoring with an unbeaten 44 (4 fours), sharing an opening stand of 91 with Amy Hunter (43) which was ended when the scores were level. All to play for then for Ed Joyce's side, who in all likelihood will face Zimbabwe if they prevail - the Africans getting a surprise win over Thailand.

Scotland will have to face Celtic rivals Ireland in what will essentially be a quarter final at the Women’s T20 World Cup qualifier after they lost to Bangladesh today in Abu Dhabi. Scotland won the toss and chose to bat first at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium but were bowled out for 77 with Shohley Akhtar taking four wickets for just seven runs. Lorna Jack’s 22 was Scotland’s top score with only two other batters reaching double figures. Bangladesh lost four wickets in reply but were otherwise untroubled. Captain Nigar Sultana top scored with 34 as they completed a six wicket win with seven overs to spare.

Thailand will take on Papua New Guinea in a must win match on Wednesday with the Pacific Islanders coming off the back of a 29 run win over the hosts today. Batting first they scored 148-6 from their 20 overs with Tanya Ruma top scoring with 53 from 36 balls. Theertha Satish scored 68 in UAE’s reply but there was only one other double digit score as the home team were kept to 119-8.

Zimbabwe secured their place in the semi-finals thanks to a a six wicket win over Thailand, who were only able to scored 86-6 despite an unbeaten knock of 47 by Nannapat Koncharoenkai. An innings of 46 by Kelis Ndlovu secured Zimbabwe’s six wicket win.

Ireland couldn't overcome the loss of star batter Gaby Lewis first ball as they lost by 17 runs to tournament favourites Bangladesh at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Chasing 144, Lewis was bowled off her pads, and was quickly followed by Orla Prendergast. The Irish rallied with Amy Hunter (33) and Laura Delany (28), but as the required rate went into double figures, Ed Joyce's side were always playing catch-up. Eimear Richardson struck some lusty blows as she top-scored with 40 from 26 balls (4 fours, 1 six), but despite a valiant effort, they finished on 129. Bangladesh had recovered from a slow start to make 143 for 4, with Joty hitting 10 fours and six in her 67. She had added 72 with Sultana (48), and with wickets in hand the Tigresses were able to add 39 in the final three overs, which was to prove crucial in the final analysis. Ireland are back in action tomorrow (MON) when they take on USA in their second group match (4pm).

Scotland got their campaign off to a flying start with a thumping win over the USA in Abu Dhabi. Batting first after they won the toss, Scotland were on 45-4 after nine overs before a 73 run partnership between Sarah Bryce and Priyanaz Chatterji. Bryce was eventually dismissed for 45 from 32 balls whilst Chatterji finished unbeaten on 32 as Scotland scored 130-5 from their 20 overs. In reply, the USA were bundled out for just 51 with Mahika Kandanala's 10 their only score in double figures. Katherine Frazer and Saskia Horley both took two wickets in the 79 run win.

Papua New Guinea were bowled out for 83 by Zimbabwe with Kelis Ndlovu taking 3-18. Zimbabwe had little trouble chasing down their target, winning by 8 wickets in 14.4 overs with runs for Sharne Mayers (33), Kelis Ndlovu (25*), and Mugeri-Tiripano 20.

Hosts UAE lost their first three wickets for just even runs as they took on Thailand. Kavisha Egodage top scored with an unbeaten 40 but the Thai bowling attack restricted them to 92-5 from their 20 overs. Thailand then chased down their target in 16.2 overs to win by 7 wickets with Nannapat Koncharoenkai scoring 34 not out and Natthakan Chantham top scoring with 39.

Amy Hunter's 45 ensured Ireland Women go into Sunday's T20 World Cup Qualifiers on a winning note after a 38-run win over PNG in their second warm-up match in UAE. Hunter made 45 from 37 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes) before retiring. There were also double figure contributions from Shauna Kavanagh and Orla Prendergast who made 17 apiece, while there were also runs too for Eimear Richardson (14) and Gaby Lewis (13) in their total of 142 for 7. PNG never seriously threatened the total, despite 22's from Jimmy and Arua. With the ball, there was two wickets for Arlene Kelly (2-18), with the other successful bowlers being Eimear Richardson (1-21) and Cara Murray (1-22) as PNG were restricted to 108 for 5. Bangladesh are Ireland's opponents in the opening match, followed by group games against USA on Monday and Scotland on Wednesday.

Ireland Women made a morale winning start to their T20 World Cup warm-ups with a 60-run win against Papua New Guinea under the floodlights of the Sevens ground on the outskirts of Dubai. A strong batting display saw Orla Prendergast top score with 38, while Gaby Lewis and Laura Delany each made 32 - the trio all retiring as Ed Joyce's side posted 168 for 3. The Irish used nine bowlers in restricting their opponents to 108 for 9, with two wickets for spinners Rachel Delaney and Cara Murray. They will play another warm-up against the same opposition, before the real business of tournament qualification starts on Sunday against top-ranked Bangladesh.