Bangladesh Women vs Ireland Women, 16th Match, Group A

As Bangladesh Women prepare to face Ireland Women at the Mulpani Cricket Ground in the 16th match of Group A during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2026, both teams come with contrasting recent form and tactical approaches that will shape this encounter. Bangladesh Women have shown steady progress in the qualifier with three wins out of their last five matches, highlighted by disciplined bowling and a few standout batting performances from their middle order. Their key players, including captain Nahida Akter and opener Fargana Hoque, have been instrumental in constructing competitive totals and applying pressure with the ball. Ireland Women, meanwhile, have struggled slightly, managing just one win in their last five outings, but their fighting spirit remains strong. Their top-order batters like Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter have provided glimpses of resilience which could prove crucial on a wicket that might require careful shot selection. In terms of head-to-head clashes, Bangladesh Women have held a slight edge over Ireland Women in T20Is, winning 3 of their last 5 meetings. This psychological advantage, combined with playing conditions that slightly favor their balanced bowling attack, gives Bangladesh a modest upper hand. Both teams are likely to employ strategies centered around batting depth and tight bowling, with Bangladesh relying on spin variations and Ireland banking on aggressive stroke play upfront. Given the current form, team composition, and conditions, Bangladesh Women enter this contest as slight favorites but cannot afford complacency against an unpredictable Irish side that thrives on creating upsets. #### AI suggested match winner Bangladesh Women: 56%, Ireland Women: 44%

If Bangladesh Women bat first, considering the Mulpani Cricket Ground historically offers a balanced pitch with moderate bounce, they are likely to post a total in the range of 145-155 runs. Their batting lineup has shown the ability to accelerate in the last five overs, which could be crucial on this surface. Conversely, if Ireland Women take first strike, their score might fall slightly lower, around 135-145 runs, due to their relative inconsistency in the middle overs and the disciplined spin bowling on offer. Overall, teams batting first will look to utilize the powerplay overs effectively and set up a defendable total around the 150-run mark, emphasizing the tactical importance of conservatively measured aggression in the middle phase.

The Mulpani Cricket Ground is known for its even-paced pitch that offers a fair contest between bat and ball. The average first-innings score at this venue in recent T20 women's matches hovers around 148 runs. Chasing teams have succeeded about 48% of the time, indicating conditions that neither overly favor batting nor bowling. Weather forecast on match day predicts clear skies with a temperature of 23°C and moderate humidity, ideal for cricket without weather disruptions. Notable performances at this ground include Bangladesh's spinner Nahida Akter, who recorded a best bowling figure of 4/18 here recently, and Irish batter Gaby Lewis, who once scored a swift 75 off 52 balls. These individual highlights underline key players likely to influence the game significantly.

Matches Played	Bangladesh Women Wins	Ireland Women Wins
5	3	2

Team Recent Performance

Team	Last 5 Matches
Bangladesh Women	W, L, W, W, L
Ireland Women	L, L, W, L, L

Nahida Akter: The Bangladesh captain has been pivotal with both ball and leadership. Her recent spells of economical spin bowling have turned tight matches in her team's favor.

Fargana Hoque: A reliable opener for Bangladesh, she has shown good form in the tournament, frequently providing solid starts and accelerating in the latter overs.

Gaby Lewis: Ireland's dynamic batter has demonstrated excellent stroke play recently, scoring consistently and providing match-winning innings single-handedly for her side.

Amy Hunter: A promising young batter for Ireland, Hunter has contributed useful runs under pressure and has been aggressive in the powerplay phases recently.

Sarah McFadden: Ireland's strike bowler has impressed with her pace and ability to take wickets upfront, often giving her team early breakthroughs.