Six teams still in contention going into final day of round robin action in Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier

Results will determine play-off spots for final two places in next year's T20 World Cup

3rd September 2019

On Monday the PNG Lewas came agonisingly close to achieving the country’s first ever win over a Full member – in men’s or women’s cricket – when they ended up only 7 runs short of a revised target of 59 from their allotted 8 overs. Bangladesh had earlier made 103/8 in an innings that was shortened from its original limit of 17 by three balls after rain that had delayed the start of play returned to end the first innings prematurely. The match was being played on yesterday’s reserve day after the original fixture had been abandoned without a ball bowled.

This one went miles!

PNG's Konio Oala deposited a delivery from Player of the Match Nahida Akter over the ropes with an almighty blow in her country's narrow defeat to Bangladesh earlier today. #T20WorldCup | #BANvPNG pic.twitter.com/CBX99tViT5
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) September 2, 2019

This sets up a blockbuster final day.

Mathematically, all four teams in Group A remain in contention. Bangladesh and PNG will be fancied to go through to the semi-finals, but with a USA team looking to win back some pride with a maiden win in their first global women’s qualifier, and the home team hoping to tick off a key Full membership criteria by qualifying for the T20 World Cup, no result is assured – especially with the pressure of tournament action coming into play.

Thailand and Ireland are already guaranteed top two in Group B, but their live-streamed clash on Tuesday will determine the crucial final placings which will determine semi-final match ups. Each team’s goal will be to avoid (the expected first placed) Bangladesh team in the cross-over semis on Thursday, which will also be the playoffs for World Cup places.