Alana Dalzell named in Ireland Women's squad for T20 World Cup Qualifier

ALANA Dalzell has been named by Cricket Ireland in its 15-player squad for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier that will be played in Kathmandu, Nepal, from January 18 to February 1.

Gaby Lewis will once more lead the squad, with Orla Prendergast her deputy.

Dalzell, captain of Bready Cricket Club's Women's 1st XI side, will depart with the Irish squad on January 6 for a preparation camp in Dubai for six days before heading to Nepal on January 12.

The squad will play two official warm-up matches against Nepal and Zimbabwe.

The participating teams in the Qualifier will be Bangladesh, Ireland, Netherlands, Namibia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Scotland, Thailand, USA and Zimbabwe.

Teams are split into two groups of five teams (listed below) – Ireland is in Group A.

The top three teams in each group after the completion of the group matches proceed to the Super Six stage.

The top four teams after the Super Six stage will qualify for the T20 World Cup.

Graeme West, director of High Performance, said: "The recent tour to South Africa demonstrated how tough international cricket can be, but also how our group can learn, adapt and grow for the experience.

"While that South Africa series was an opportunity to hone skills and identify areas of further improvement required, the upcoming Qualifier will be the time when the squad will need to put that experience into action on the field.

“Nepali wickets are traditionally low and slow, so we are taking three frontline spinners in the squad as they will likely play a key role in the expected conditions.

"We have no major injury concerns, with Amy Hunter expected to fully recover from the niggle that kept her out of the 3rd ODI against South Africa recently.

“We wish Lloyd (Tennant, head coach) and the squad well - and look forward to a hopefully successful qualifying campaign and another appearance by Ireland at a major event in June 2026.”

The groups are:

Group A: Bangladesh, Ireland. PNG, Namibia. USA

Group B: Scotland, Thailand, Zimbabwe, Netherlands, Nepal

The Ireland matches in the Group Stage are:

January1 4: Ireland Women v Nepal Women (warm-up match)

January 16: Ireland Women v Zimbabwe Women (warm-up match)

January 18: Ireland Women v PNG Women (group match)

January 22: Ireland Women v USA Women (group match)

January 24: Ireland Women v Bangladesh Women (group match)

January 26: Ireland Women v Namibia Women (group match)

January 28: Super Six Stage – matches

January 30: Super Six Stage – matches

February 2: Super Six Stage – matches

Ireland Women's squad: Gaby Lewis (c), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Sarah Forbes, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Aimee Maguire, Jane Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast and Rebecca Stokell.