Ireland are set to play their fifth ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in June-July in England and Wales after earning a place through the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifiers 2025/26. After missing out on the previous edition of the T20 World Cup in 2024, they are back this time around.
However, before the mega event, they will play a tri-series at home involving Pakistan and West Indies, a proper preparation for them before two warm-up matches (vs South Africa and Bangladesh). They are in Group 2, along with hosts England, defending champions New Zealand, West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Scotland.
Squad: Gaby Lewis (C), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell, Alice Tector
Strength
Gaby Lewis, their skipper, remains the biggest strength as she has often stepped up with the bat and led from the front. Even in the Global Qualifiers, she was the highest run-scorer overall, scoring 276 runs in seven innings at a strike-rate of 119.48, including one fifty.
However, she is set to miss the upcoming tri-series due to a leg injury, suffered while playing for Lancashire and hence, Orla Prendergast will lead the side. Gaby has been given a rest to become fully fit and available for the World Cup.
Arlene Kelly, the right-arm medium all-rounder, also had an impressive outing in the qualifiers, finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker overall with 13 wickets in seven games at an economy of 5.52, including two four-wicket hauls. Along with her, Lara McBride – the off-spinner – will also look to carry forward her qualifiers performances into the World Cup as she picked up 10 wickets in six games.
Apart from them, this team’s performance will also depend on Orla Prendergast, Ava Canning, Amy Hunter, and Aimee Maguire. The individual form of these players will be key if Ireland are to shine or put up a decent fight on the biggest stage.
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Weakness
The biggest weakness is still the lack of experience for the Irish side. They do not play top-quality teams regularly, and that creates a void in terms of experience. Although they put up a close fight against Bangladesh in the qualifiers, losing by just nine runs, the pressure of a World Cup is completely different, and that can be a concern for them.
However, in 2025, they had two significant series – a three-match T20I series against Pakistan at home, which they won 2-1 and another away T20I series against South Africa, which they lost 0-2.
Opportunity
Ireland are still searching for their first-ever win in this competition. This is their fifth T20 World Cup appearance, but in all the previous editions (2014, 2016, 2018, and 2023), they lost all 17 matches combined and got knocked out at the group stage every time. Hence, this time around, Ireland will look to register their maiden win, and comparatively, they have a better chance to do it in their tournament opener itself against Scotland.
Apart from that, this tournament is also a huge opportunity for several young players, especially the 18-year-old all-rounder Alice Tector. She has come in as a replacement for former skipper Laura Delany, who has been ruled out due to an unfortunate injury. Notably, Tector has played ODIs earlier but is yet to make her T20I debut.
Threat
Facing quality teams like Sri Lanka, West Indies, and most importantly, England and New Zealand in Group 2 will be an uphill task. In addition, they are going to miss two notable names in this campaign. First, as mentioned earlier, Delany and then Jane Maguire.
Most fans still remember her last-ball six to win a T20I against Pakistan in 2025 and then, an impressive performance with the ball at the qualifiers – 11 wickets in six innings for the medium pacer. But unfortunately, due to a knee injury, Maguire also missed the flight to the UK.
Even as mentioned earlier, although their skipper is expected to be fully fit and available for the mega event, there must be some fitness concerns regarding Gaby Lewis as she continues her recovery from the leg injury.
Possible Playing XI: Amy Hunter (WK), Gaby Lewis (C), Orla Prendergast, Leah Paul, Ava Canning, Rebecca Stokell, Louise Little, Arlene Kelly, Alana Dalzell, Lara McBride, Aimee Maguire
Also Read: Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: Netherlands – SWOT Analysis
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