ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2026 – Match 19
Namibia Women vs Ireland Women: The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2026 continues to deliver competitive and high-intensity cricket as teams fight for limited spots at the global showpiece. On Monday, January 26, 2026, attention turns to Namibia Women vs Ireland Women, the 19th match of the tournament, scheduled to be played at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur.
While Ireland Women remain firmly in contention for qualification, Namibia Women enter this contest playing for pride and momentum after a challenging campaign. Despite the contrasting positions of the two sides, the match holds significance for form, confidence, and future planning in women’s international cricket.
This comprehensive preview covers match details, points table standings, current form, key players, statistical leaders, venue trends, head-to-head records, squads, and AI-based match predictions, offering fans and analysts a complete picture ahead of Namibia Women vs Ireland Women.
Match Details: Namibia Women vs Ireland Women
| Match | ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2026 – Match 19 |
|---|---|
| Fixture | Namibia Women vs Ireland Women |
| Date | Monday, 26 January 2026 |
| Venue | Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur |
| Start Time | 07:15 AM GMT |
| Local Time | 01:00 PM (Nepal Time) |
| IST | 12:45 PM |
Tournament Context: ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2026
The Global Qualifier serves as the final gateway to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, bringing together emerging and established cricketing nations. With only a handful of qualification spots available, every match carries weight — particularly for teams placed in the middle of the table.
Ireland Women entered the tournament as one of the stronger sides, backed by experience and consistency. Namibia Women, meanwhile, arrived with optimism but have struggled to translate potential into results against stronger opposition.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2026 – Points Table
Group A Standings
| Team | Matches Played | Wins | Losses | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh Women | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 |
| Ireland Women | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| USA Women | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Papua New Guinea Women | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Namibia Women | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Group B Standings
| Team | Matches Played | Wins | Losses | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland Women | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| Netherlands Women | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| Thailand Women | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Nepal Women | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Zimbabwe Women | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
Ireland Women currently sit joint-second in Group A and remain well-placed to push for qualification. Namibia Women, having lost all three matches so far, are mathematically out of contention but will be eager to end the tournament on a positive note.
Current Form Guide
Ireland Women: Battling Back After a Narrow Defeat
Ireland Women come into the Namibia Women vs Ireland Women clash following a heartbreaking nine-run loss to Bangladesh Women, a match that showcased both their strengths and areas needing refinement.
The Irish batting unit has been anchored by Gaby Lewis, who has consistently provided stability at the top of the order. Contributions from Leah Paul and Amy Hunter have added depth, while the bowling attack — led by Arlene Kelly and Jane Maguire — has kept Ireland competitive even against stronger teams.
Despite the recent defeat, Ireland’s overall form remains solid, and this fixture presents an opportunity to regain momentum.
Namibia Women: Searching for Consistency
Namibia Women have endured a difficult tournament, suffering three consecutive losses. While flashes of promise have been visible, consistency has been elusive.
The batting lineup has leaned heavily on Yasmeen Khan, with limited support from the rest of the order. In bowling, Saima Tuhadeleni and Sylvia Shihepo have stood out, delivering disciplined spells even when defending modest totals.
For Namibia, this match is about executing skills, testing combinations, and gaining valuable experience against a higher-ranked opponent.
Leading Run-Scorers – ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2026
| Rank | Player | Matches | Runs | Strike Rate | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gaby Lewis | 4 | 168 | 133.33 | 3 |
| 2 | Sharmin Akhter | 4 | 156 | 118.18 | 2 |
| 3 | Sterre Kalis | 4 | 143 | 111.72 | 1 |
| 4 | Katherine Fraser | 4 | 126 | 138.46 | 1 |
| 5 | Sobhana Mostary | 4 | 123 | 133.70 | 8 |
| 6 | Babette de Leede | 4 | 114 | 98.28 | – |
| 7 | Dilara Akter | 4 | 112 | 138.27 | 2 |
| 8 | Ritu Singh | 4 | 108 | 177.05 | 7 |
| 9 | Chetna Pagydyala | 4 | 105 | 90.52 | – |
| 10 | Sarah Bryce | 4 | 101 | 118.82 | 1 |
Gaby Lewis’s presence at the top of this list underlines her importance to Ireland Women in the Namibia Women vs Ireland Women encounter.
Players to Watch
Ireland Women
Gaby Lewis (Captain)
The Irish skipper has led from the front, accumulating 157 runs at an average of 52.33, striking at an impressive 136.52. Her ability to balance aggression with composure makes her Ireland’s most valuable asset.
Arlene Kelly
One of the standout bowlers of the tournament, Kelly has claimed 8 wickets at an average of 10.25, striking every 8.2 balls. Her consistency in pressure situations could be decisive.
Amy Hunter
The wicketkeeper-batter has made the most of her opportunities, scoring 53 runs at an average of 53 while striking at 139.47, often providing brisk starts.
Namibia Women
Yasmeen Khan
Namibia’s batting lynchpin, Khan has scored 94 runs at 31.33 with a strike rate of 149.20. Her performance will be central to Namibia’s hopes.
Saima Tuhadeleni
With 4 wickets at an average of 23.5, Tuhadeleni has been one of Namibia’s most reliable bowlers.
Sylvia Shihepo
The standout Namibian bowler, Shihepo has taken 5 wickets at an exceptional average of 7.6, maintaining an economy rate of just 4.07.
Head-to-Head Record: Namibia Women vs Ireland Women
| Matches Played | Ireland Wins | Namibia Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 |
The two teams have faced each other only once before, back in 2019, when Ireland Women emerged victorious. This limited history adds intrigue to the upcoming contest.
Top Wicket-Takers – ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2026
| Rank | Player | Matches | Wickets | Best Figures | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thipatcha Putthawong | 4 | 8 | 4/27 | 11.25 |
| 2 | Arlene Kelly | 4 | 8 | 4/20 | 10.50 |
| 3 | Tara Norris | 3 | 7 | 3/10 | 10.29 |
| 4 | Abtaha Maqsood | 4 | 7 | 3/14 | 11.14 |
| 5 | Rabeya Khan | 4 | 7 | 3/5 | 13.71 |
| 10 | Jane Maguire | 3 | 6 | 3/31 | 11.00 |
Venue Analysis: Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur
Average First Innings Scores (Women’s T20s)
| Year | Average Score |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 116.3 |
| 2025 | 104.4 |
| 2026 | 137.5 |
The venue has become increasingly batting-friendly in 2026, with totals around 135–140 now considered competitive.
Bowling Performance at the Venue
| Bowling Type | Average | Economy | Balls per Wicket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Bowlers | 21.94 | 6.09 | 21.6 |
| Spin Bowlers | 19.44 | 5.77 | 20.2 |
Spin bowlers have enjoyed slightly more success, a factor that could benefit both sides.
Match Outcome Trends
| Scenario | Win Percentage |
|---|---|
| Batting First | 54.6% |
| Batting Second | 45.4% |
Most Sixes – Tournament Leaders
| Rank | Player | Matches | Sixes | Highest Score | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sobhana Mostary | 4 | 8 | 34 | 133.70 |
| 2 | Hollan Doriga | 4 | 8 | 39 | 94.12 |
| 3 | Ritu Singh | 4 | 7 | 41 | 177.05 |
| 7 | Gaby Lewis | 4 | 3 | 73 | 133.33 |
| 9 | Yasmeen Khan | 4 | 3 | 74 | 142.42 |
Team Squads
Ireland Women Squad
Gaby Lewis (c), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Sarah Forbes, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Aimee Maguire, Jane Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell.
Namibia Women Squad
Suné Wittmann (c), Naomi Benjamin, Arrasta Diergaardt, Kayleen Green, Mezerly Gorases, Victoria Hamunyela, Yasmeen Khan, Eveleen Kejarukua, Mekelaye Mwatile, Wilka Mwatile, Bianca Manuel, Sylvia Shihepo, Saima Tuhadeleni, Edelle van Zyl, Leigh-Marie Visser.
Match Prediction: Namibia Women vs Ireland Women
| Team | Winning Probability |
|---|---|
| Ireland Women | 99.2% |
| Namibia Women | 0.8% |
AI-Based Pre-Match Predictions
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Toss Winner | Ireland |
| Match Winner | Ireland |
| Top Batter | Gaby Lewis (Ireland), Yasmeen Khan (Namibia) |
| Top Bowler | Arlene Kelly (Ireland), Sylvia Shihepo (Namibia) |
| Most Sixes | Amy Hunter (Ireland), Yasmeen Khan (Namibia) |
| Player of the Match | Arlene Kelly |
| Expected Scores | Ireland 130+, Namibia 100+ |
Also read: Cricket India vs West Indies: Complete History, Rivalry, Records, and Memorable Moments
Conclusion:
The Namibia Women vs Ireland Women fixture may appear one-sided on paper, but international cricket often rewards discipline and intent. Ireland Women will aim to consolidate their position in Group A with a convincing win, while Namibia Women will look to showcase growth, resilience, and flashes of brilliance as they conclude their campaign.
Regardless of the outcome, this match represents another important chapter in the evolving landscape of women’s international cricket.
