Defending Champions New Zealand Knock Scotland Out of Women’s T20 World Cup

Bristol, June 23 — New Zealand Women kept their title defence alive with a six-wicket victory over Scotland at the Bristol County Ground on Tuesday, eliminating the Scots from the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Chasing 132, the White Ferns reached home with more than an over to spare, thanks to a composed 46 from young batter Izzy Sharp. New Zealand had stumbled to 27 for 3 inside the powerplay, but Sharp’s unbeaten knock steadied the innings and guided her side to 132 for 4 in 18.4 overs.

Scotland, after being put in to bat, posted 131 for 7. Opener Darcey Carter top-scored with a fluent 48, giving the Scots a solid platform. But New Zealand’s bowlers pulled things back in the final quarter, restricting Scotland to a below-par total.

Captain Amelia Kerr praised her team for the fightback. “We are happy to keep them to 131. Darcey played an amazing innings, but we pulled things back nicely around the 16th over,” Kerr said. She acknowledged fielding lapses but took heart from winning close games. “Earlier we were losing these. Now we are winning them. That is a better sign.”

Kerr reserved special praise for Sharp. “I have watched her in the nets and at Super Smash for a long time. She has the potential to be one of New Zealand’s best ever,” she said.

Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce admitted her side left runs on the field. “We were good with the bat but left around 20 runs out there in that tough final period,” she said. Bryce also pointed to early wickets in the powerplay as the difference. “We have struggled to take wickets in that phase,” she added.

With this loss, Scotland become the fourth team eliminated from the tournament, joining Pakistan, Netherlands and Ireland. New Zealand now head to The Oval to face England on Saturday, June 27, in a must-win final league game.

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📰 Source: TOI Sports