ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2026: Nepal Women vs Scotland Women – Match Preview

Date: Monday, 26th January 2026
Venue: Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur
Time: 03:15 AM GMT | 09:00 AM Local | 08:45 AM IST

Match Overview

The Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur will host one of the most anticipated matches of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier as Nepal Women face Scotland Women in a crucial encounter. With both teams vying for a strong position in the tournament, this match promises to be a tightly contested affair.

This will be the first-ever T20I meeting between Nepal and Scotland, making it a historic occasion for both sides. The venue has seen some high-scoring games in recent years, with the average first innings score climbing to 137.5 in 2026, suggesting a batting-friendly surface.

Team Insights

Nepal Women

Nepal, led by Indu Barma, are in a confident mood after securing a vital win over Zimbabwe. Their key contributors include Rubina Chhetri Belbashi, who has been instrumental with both bat and ball, and Bindu Rawal, the team’s leading run-scorer. The all-round performance of Puja Mahato has also been a major asset, with her strike rate and bowling providing a balanced threat.

With players like Samjhana Khadka and Sita Rana Magar offering explosive batting options, Nepal are well-equipped to chase or post a competitive total. However, they will need to sharpen their bowling and fielding to match the quality of the Scottish side.

Scotland Women

Scotland, captained by the experienced Kathryn Bryce, have already secured a spot in the Super Sixes and will be looking to fine-tune their strategies for the next phase. Katherine Fraser has been a standout performer, delivering both with the bat and ball. Her 126 runs and three wickets in the tournament so far make her a key player to watch.

The spin duo of Abtaha Maqsood and Kathryn Bryce has been effective in breaking partnerships, while the pace attack led by Rachel Slater has been disciplined. Scotland’s depth in batting and all-round performance gives them a strong edge in this high-stakes match.

Key Players to Watch

Nepal

• Puja Mahato – All-rounder with 72 runs at an average of 36 and two wickets at 19.
• Bindu Rawal – Leading run-scorer for Nepal with 77 runs in three games at an average of 25.66.
• Samjhana Khadka – Aggressive batter with a strike rate of 188.46 for 49 runs.

Scotland

• Katherine Fraser – Top run-scorer and all-rounder with 126 runs and three wickets.
• Kathryn Bryce – Captain with a strike rate of 128.07 and four wickets at an average of 16.
• Abtaha Maqsood – Effective leg-spinner with four wickets at 13.

Venue Analysis

Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur has shown a consistent trend in favor of batting teams. The average first innings score in 2026 stands at 137.5, and the win percentage for teams batting first is 54.6%. The pitch is expected to offer good grip for spinners in the middle overs, making it crucial for the bowlers to control the run rate early on.

Squads

Nepal Women

• Indu Barma (c), Puja Mahato, Rubina Chhetri, Sita Rana Magar, Bindu Rawal, Samjhana Khadka, Kajal Shrestha, Kabita Joshi, Kabita Kunwar, Rachana Chaudhary, Riya Sharma, Roma Thapa, Suman Bista, Rajmati Airee, Manisha Upadhaya

Scotland Women

• Kathryn Bryce (c), Chloe Abel, Olivia Bell, Sarah Bryce, Darcey Carter, Priyanaz Chatterji, Katherine Fraser, Ailsa Lister, Abtaha Maqsood, Megan McColl, Mollie Parker, Hannah Rainey, Niamh Robertson-Jack, Rachel Slater, Pippa Sproul

Match Predictions (Pre-Play)

• Toss Winner: Nepal
• Match Winner: Scotland
• Top Batter (Runs): Puja Mahato (Nepal), Katherine Fraser (Scotland)
• Top Bowler (Wickets): Rubina Chhetri Belbashi (Nepal), Abtaha Maqsood (Scotland)
• Most Sixes: Sita Rana Magar (Nepal), Katherine Fraser (Scotland)
• Player of the Match: Katherine Fraser (Scotland)
• Projected Team Scores:
  • Nepal: 90+
  • Scotland: 130+

Additional Insights

• Samjhana Khadka averages a boundary every 7 balls, making her a key match-winner in the middle overs.
• Megan McColl is a high-risk bowler, as only 29% of her deliveries are dots.
• Manisha Upadhaya has a 29% chance of taking more than three wickets in an innings.
• Rachana Chaudhary is a reliable bowler, maintaining an economy below 6.00 in 77% of her games.
• Abtaha Maqsood excels in the middle overs, taking 79% of her wickets in that phase.

Final Verdict

The match between Nepal Women and Scotland Women is set to be a thrilling encounter. While Nepal will be eager to make a mark on home soil, Scotland’s experience and balanced squad give them a slight edge. The toss could play a pivotal role, but given the pitch conditions, a score of 130+ could be a winning total.

Prediction: Scotland Women to win, but it promises to be a close contest.
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