Women qualify for 2020 World T20I

Bangladesh women advanced to the World T20I after beating their Ireland counterparts by four wickets in the semi-final of the Qualifiers in Dundee Thursday.

The women in red and green will now take on either Papua New Guinea or Thailand in the final at the same venue Saturday.

Bangladesh and either PNG or Thailand, the two finalists of the Qualifiers, will join host Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies in the seventh edition of the Women’s WT20I, scheduled for next year.

Batting first, the Irish were skittled out for 85 in their allotted 20 overs, with only captain Laura Delany (25), Eimear Richardson (25) and Orla Prendergast (10) reaching double digit in the face of some disciplined bowling by the Tigresses.

Bangladesh fans must be feeling pretty 'Happy' right now 😀 #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/P8rFx4xwXo

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) September 5, 2019

Leg-spinner Fahima Khatun led the Bangladesh attack with aplomb, bagging three wickets conceding 18 runs in her quota of four overs.

In reply, Bangladesh were in a spot of bother, losing wickets at regular intervals in pursuit of 86.

However, opener Murshida Khatun (13), player of the match Sanjida Islam (32*) and lower order batter Ritu Moni (15) guided Bangladesh to the destination after some early scares.

Bangladesh earlier qualified for the semis after topping Group A with maximum six points, beating PNG, Scotland and the USA.

Look how much it means to the Bangladesh players 🙌 #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/e7pDgOTTCA

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) September 5, 2019

The 2020 WWT20I will be held from February 21 to March 8.

The groupings have already been done with Bangladesh drawn in Group A alongside Australia, India, New Zealand and Sri Lanka.

Group B comprises England, South Africa, the West Indies, Pakistan and Qualifier 2.