The third and final stage of the 2026 women’s T20 World Cup generated some compelling cricket, not all of it flawless. One of the most noteworthy outcomes was Ireland’s first ever T20 World Cup victory. The team had almost achieved that historic landmark against New Zealand on June 19, failing to score 34 runs from the last 24 deliveries and 15 from the final over. They lost by four runs. Afterwards, the Irish players and coach talked about the need to play the top teams more often in order to gain experience in critical moments.
It seems that the experience against New Zealand served them well against the West Indies, who, after a brisk start of 31 in three overs, posted a disappointing 128 for seven. Ireland’s bowlers were very efficient in the execution of their plans, setting a basis for a real opportunity to reach the target. The impressive Orla Prendergast, Ireland’s top all-round cricketer, led the way, steering the reply to 108 for three in the 16 over, before being dismissed. This time, a task of scoring 21 runs in 27 deliveries was achieved, mainly by Rebecca Stokell, to secure that much wanted first victory on June 27.
The day before, in a remarkable alignment of the stars across the Irish Sea, Ireland’s men’s team had beaten India in the first of two T20 Internationals by 34 runs in Belfast. This was not expected and is the first time that Ireland has beaten India in any format. The two matches were in preparation for India’s T20I and One Day International series against England in July. In hindsight, it should be remembered that the pitches in Ireland and England are quite different from the surfaces that the Indian players have been used to at home in the Indian Premier League.
It was to be expected that India, having been stung in the first match, would be out for revenge in the second on June 28. Having been asked to bat first, Ireland posted 154 for eight. In reply, India was shocked to lose two wickets for one run to Jai Moondra, who also claimed the wicket of India’s captain, Shreyas Iyer. There is an irony here. Moondra was born in Tonk, Rajasthan, playing at U-14 level. He moved to Ireland in May 2021 to pursue an MTech degree, working his way into Ireland’s domestic system. In 2025, he received Irish citizenship and a place in the Irish cricket team. Another debutant in the series, Irish born Matt Hollard, claimed three wickets.
At the end of the 17th over, India required 44 runs from 18 deliveries. This was shaved down to 20 from the last over. What an eventful one it was, comprising two wides, a no-ball, a four, and wicket. Although the final delivery was hit for six, India ended two runs short of victory. This was a momentous day for Irish cricket and will go down as one of the greatest days in its history. The reigning T20 world champions were beaten and a winning streak across 16 T20 series was broken. Ireland better understood the conditions, outplaying India with bat, ball and in fielding, all without four first-choice players.
In the space of three days, Irish men and women cricketers created history and served a reminder of the progress that they are making on the international stage. The timing was perfect. On June 16, the first sod was turned at a site north-west of Dublin which will become Ireland’s international cricket stadium at the National Sports Campus. The facility is scheduled to be ready for the ICC T20 World Cup in 2030 that Ireland will host alongside England and Scotland. It is being primarily funded by the Irish government through Sport Ireland and the Department of Sport.
Investment in facilities, developmental pathways and strong domestic competitions are crucial for the deepening of Irish cricket’s roots. Another stark reminder of the need for investment was provided by the West Indies captain, Hayley Matthews, in a press conference after her team had been soundly beaten in the first semifinal of the women’s T20 World Cup on June 30. The loss was raw but she talked eloquently about the pressures on the senior players to perform and the responsibility that they have to mentor and develop the younger players, who have limited experience of international cricket. She talked about the need for and lack of funds in comparison with Australia, for example. Without additional investment, the development of the next generation of players will be hampered. Several of the younger members of the team arrived with promising reputations but did not enhance them.
In the semifinal against Australia, the West Indies and Matthews started well to the point where an upset might have been on the cards, as 55 runs were scored midway through the ninth over. Australia bowled slowly and wide of the off stump to restrict shots to the leg side. Matthews attempted one risky shot too many and was bowled. This heralded a series of cheap dismissals as the score slumped 91 for six after 17 overs. A late rally took the total to 125 for seven, which was never likely to be enough. So it proved, as Australia cruised ruthlessly to 127 for two in 13 overs. They await South Africa or England in the final on July 5 at Lords.
Concern has been expressed about the way in which the teams have been allocated to the semifinals. It is normal in a format in which the top two teams from a group proceed to the semis to pit the first placed teams in the groups against the second placed teams from the other group. The identity of the team which finished second in Group A was not determined until June 28 when South Africa beat Bangladesh to edge out India, who had been beaten by Australia earlier in the day. Had India beaten Australia they would have been strongly placed to progress to the semifinal. One of those was scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m. local time and the other at 6:30 p.m. These equate to 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. India time. It was very clear that the earlier time would attract maximum attention in India and attendance at the live match.
In a podcast, former England player turned commentator, Alex Hartley, and current player Kate Cross questioned why India, if they qualified for the knockout stage, had already been allocated the first semifinal, starting at 2:30 p.m. The scale of the reaction was unprecedented, their social media accounts flooded with abusive comments and death threats. This is unacceptable and unwarranted behavior by any standards. In the desire to maximize revenues, cricket’s authorities have unwittingly opened the game up to distasteful aspects.
Away from that furore, it was a pleasure for me to be offered the opportunity to watch the Afghan women’s teams play against the British Army women’s team at Hampstead Cricket Club, close to Lords, on July 1. As previously reported in the Arab News, the players are exiled, mainly in Australia and have been funded to visit England to play exhibition matches, experience coaching and watch the women’s T20 World cup final. Fortunately, I was able to talk with two of the players about their trip and their comments will be available via Arab News. Their journey in the last three years has been challenging, but the way in which they have been supported is a reminder that cricket’s culture retains a capacity for good.
