Day 5 of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Global Qualifier in Nepal proved decisive, with Scotland and the United States booking their places in the Super Six stage, keeping their World Cup qualification hopes firmly alive. The matches played in Kathmandu carried high stakes, and both teams rose to the occasion with disciplined, all-round performances that underlined their growing strength in international women’s cricket.
Scotland’s qualification was sealed through a commanding win over hosts Nepal in a must-win Group B encounter. Batting first, Scotland showed composure on a surface that demanded patience, building their innings steadily rather than chasing early aggression. Their batters focused on rotating the strike, punishing loose deliveries, and ensuring a defendable total was posted. The final score gave their bowlers enough cushion to attack with freedom, and they made full use of it.
Once Nepal began their chase, Scotland’s bowling unit took complete control. Accurate lines, clever changes of pace, and sharp fielding created constant pressure on the home side. Wickets fell regularly through the middle overs, preventing Nepal from building any meaningful partnerships. The hosts were eventually bundled out for a low total, ending their Super Six hopes and confirming Scotland’s progression. The emphatic nature of the victory highlighted Scotland’s experience and tactical clarity, particularly in knockout-style situations.
Meanwhile, in Group A, the United States achieved a landmark moment by qualifying for the Super Six stage of a global ICC event. Facing Papua New Guinea, the USA delivered a disciplined bowling performance to restrict their opponents to a modest total. The bowlers stuck to their plans, defended straight boundaries, and forced errors by maintaining relentless pressure throughout the innings.
Chasing the target, the USA batters displayed calmness and maturity. Rather than rushing the chase, they paced the innings smartly, ensuring wickets were preserved while the required rate stayed under control. A few timely boundaries and strong running between the wickets allowed them to cross the line with overs to spare, sealing a historic win. This result marked a significant step forward for USA women’s cricket, reflecting steady progress and increasing competitiveness at the international level.
With Scotland and the USA joining the Super Six lineup, the tournament now enters its most intense phase. The Super Six stage brings together the top teams from both groups, with points carried forward, making every remaining match critical. Only a limited number of teams will eventually qualify for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, raising the pressure and sharpening the margins for error.
For Scotland, the focus will be on maintaining consistency and capitalizing on their strong bowling unit, which has been their standout asset so far. For the USA, confidence will be key as they look to build on their breakthrough achievement and challenge more established sides. Day 5, therefore, did more than decide two qualifiers — it reshaped the narrative of the tournament, emphasizing that emerging teams are increasingly capable of competing, and succeeding, on the global stage.
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