T20 World Cup Qualifier: Ireland Women name team for global event, with Gaby Lewis appointed captain

Cricket Ireland has named the Ireland Women’s squad for the forthcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Global Qualifier. The tournament will be held in Kathmandu, Nepal, from January 18 to February 1, and Ireland Women will be headed by top-order batsman Gaby Lewis. Meanwhile, pacer Orla Prendergast has been selected vice-captain of the 15-member team.

Apart from Ireland, teams from Bangladesh, Namibia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Thailand, Zimbabwe, the Netherlands, and the United States of America will also compete. The ten participating teams were divided into two groups of five (Group A and Group B), with Ireland in Group A.

Ireland will play a few warm-up games, both against Group B teams, before beginning their main campaign against PNG on January 18. They will then face the United States, Bangladesh, and Namibia in their final group round matches. If they finish among the top three in their group, they will advance to the Super Six stage.

According to a media statement from Cricket Ireland, the group will depart for Dubai on January 6, where they will participate in a six-day intensive training camp. They will then travel to Nepal for the main tournament on January 12, after which they will play two warm-up games, one against the hosts Nepal and one against Zimbabwe.

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

Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2026: Ireland Schedule