Scotland’s hopes of qualifying for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup took a significant hit following a decisive 90-run loss to Bangladesh in Kirtipur on March 15, 2024. The defeat came during Scotland’s penultimate Super Six qualification match in Nepal, leaving the team needing a victory in their final game against the United States to secure their place in the tournament.
Bangladesh, who have already qualified for the World Cup scheduled in England starting June 12, 2024, dominated the match with an impressive performance. They posted a formidable total of 191 runs for 5 wickets in their 20 overs, thanks to a standout innings from captain Nigar Sultana, who scored an unbeaten 56 runs off 35 balls. Sobhana Mostary also contributed significantly with a quickfire 47 runs off 23 balls.
Scotland’s bowling attack struggled to contain the Bangladesh batsmen, with only captain Kathryn Bryce managing to keep her figures respectable, conceding just 20 runs in four overs. The Scottish side faced immediate pressure in their chase when Darcey Carter was dismissed on the first ball of the innings. Scotland found themselves in deep trouble at 35 for 5 before Pippa Sproul (not out on 27) and Megan McColl (scoring 20) helped the team to a total of 101 runs for 9 wickets.
The results of the Super Six phase are crucial, as the top four teams will qualify for the World Cup. Following this match, Scotland’s position in the standings hinges on their upcoming clash against the United States on March 17, 2024. The United States is also competing for a spot in the tournament, and the outcome of their match against Thailand on March 15 will impact Scotland’s chances, particularly if Thailand wins their final match against Ireland, who are level with Scotland on four points but hold a better net run rate.
Scotland initially finished second in Pool B during the group stage, only losing to the Netherlands, while Ireland also advanced from Pool A with a single defeat against Bangladesh. In the Super Six, teams face opponents they did not encounter in the group stage, adding to the intensity of the competition.
As Scotland prepares for their crucial final game, the team remains focused on controlling their destiny. A victory against the United States would guarantee their place in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, while a loss could see them eliminated from contention. With the stakes high, fans will be eager to see if Scotland can rise to the occasion and secure a spot in the prestigious tournament.
