Bangladesh and Ireland have reached the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2022 final. The Bangladesh women’s team reached the final after beating Thailand by 11 runs on September 23. On the other hand, the Irish women’s team secured a place in the final by beating Zimbabwe by 4 runs in their semifinal fixture. Let’s have a look at the Bangladesh vs Ireland final match preview.
Bangladesh Women vs Ireland Women: Final Match Preview
The Bangladesh team’s good run of form in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier 2022 has continued as they overcame Thailand in the second semifinal to earn a place in the final. In the first semifinal, Ireland stunned the Zimbabwean side in the last over of the match. Both teams have qualified for the 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup by reaching the final.
Bangladesh will be overwhelmingly favourite to win the 2022 Women’s Twenty20 World Cup Qualifier final as they have never lost a T20I against Ireland. Both sides have met each other in five T20Is and the tigresses have won all of them.
Read: Tigresses book ticket to T20 World Cup 2023 beating Thailand
Bangladesh
What’s really impressive is that Bangladesh’s batters are in good touch and have done their job properly in this tournament. That is why Bangladesh's women’s team hasn’t really suffered much in the ongoing event. Skipper Nigar Sultana is the team’s best batter in the competition, scoring 174 runs in 4 innings. However, if anything Bangladesh need to look at, that would be their strike rate. They need to concentrate more on improving their strike rate.
Bangladesh’s spinners have been excellent and are the main terrorizing factors for the opposition batting lineups. The Irish team will be concerned about Bangladesh’s depth in spin bowling in the final.
Probable Playing XI
Fargana Hoque, Murshida Khatun, Nigar Sultana (captain & wicket-keeper), Rumana Ahmed, Sobhana Mostary, Ritu Moni, Nahida Akter, Sanjida Akter Meghla, Salma Khatun, Shohely Akhter, Lata Mondal
Read: 2022 Women’s Twenty20 Asia Cup: Participating Teams, Full Fixtures, Venues
Ireland
The Irish women’s team’s main target of qualifying for next year’s Women’s Twenty20 World Cup was assured after beating Zimbabwe in the semifinal. Therefore, they will be under less pressure when meeting Bangladesh in the final. The Irish side will definitely try to win the competition in order to boost their confidence.
Ireland’s most informed batter is Gaby Hollis Lewis, who has scored 121 runs in four innings with an excellent 135.95 strike rate. On the other hand, Arlene Nora Kelly has been the most impressive bowler for the Irish team, with 6 wickets in 4 innings. They have to be in their best form in the final against Bangladesh to win this qualifier event. Ireland will likely deploy the same playing XI that played against Zimbabwe.
Probable Playing XI
Amy Hunter, Gaby Lewis, Orla Prendergast, Laura Delany (captain), Eimear Richardson, Rebecca Stokell, Shauna Kavanagh, Mary Waldron (wicket-keeper), Arlene Kelly, Cara Murray, Jane Maguire
Bangladesh Women vs Ireland Women: Weather report and toss prediction
The final match between Bangladesh and Ireland will take place on Sunday (September 25) at Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium. The scheduled start time of the championship contest is 9 p.m. (Bangladesh Standard Time). Abu Dhabi’s weather will likely be comparatively more pleasant than usual. The temperature could reach 36 degrees Celsius. The toss-winning captain may opt to bat first at this ground.
Read: SAFF women champs: Skipper Sabina given hero's welcome on return to Satkhira
Bottom Line
Both the Bangladesh and Ireland women's teams have already qualified for the 2023 ICC Women's Twenty20 World Cup, therefore neither team will feel any pressure when they play in the qualifier event final. However, the statistics favour the tigresses to win the Bangladesh vs Ireland ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier 2022 final.