Netherlands qualify for their maiden Women's T20 World Cup

Netherlands beat United States of America by 21 runs (DLS Method) to clinch three wins in three in the Super Six stage of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifiers, securing their maiden qualification to the Women's T20 World Cup.

With two wins in two games, having already beaten Nepal and Thailand in the group stage, the European nation needed only one positive result to clinch qualification. With USA batting first, medium pace bowler Hannah Landheer took 3 for 30 to restrict them to 129 for 7 in 20 overs. A 57-run opening stand from Heather Siegers and Phebe Molkenboer put Netherlands in control of the chase, but rain interrupted after the 12th over. Netherlands were 90 for 2 at this stage, 21 runs ahead of the DLS par score. As no further play was possible, they took the points and will travel to England and Wales later this June.

Alongside Netherlands, Bangladesh also clinched their spot for the marquee event with a 39-run win over Thailand. They had earlier beaten Namibia and Ireland in the group stage. With the Women's T20 World Cup to feature 12 teams for the 2026 edition, ten teams have now qualified, with two more spots left to be finalized. The remaining teams competing for the final two spots are Scotland, Ireland, USA, and Thailand.

Having played their first international game in 1937, Netherlands were among the stronger teams in women's cricket from the 1980s to the early 2000s, featuring in four successive World Cups from 1988 to 2000. However, since the advent of T20 cricket, they had not qualified for a World Cup until now.