Scotland will face England at this year’s Women’s T20 World Cup after failing
to beat Sri Lanka in the final of the ICC qualifier in Abu Dhabi.
The Scots had already secured their first-ever appearance in the tournament proper by reaching the last two, having beaten Ireland in a semi-final battle for a spot in Bangladesh this October.
Only the top two sides in the qualifying competition in the UAE join the 10-team main event in the autumn, along with England, Australia, India, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies and Bangladesh.
Scotland’s quest for silverware came up short in the final against Sri Lanka, the team suffering a 68-run loss that puts them into Group B at the T20 World Cup, alongside England.
As well as taking on their neighbours in Dhaka on October 14, Scotland will face host nation Bangladesh, South Africa and West Indies. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will play Australia, New Zealand, India and Pakistan in Group A.
Scotland were without their captain and star player Kathryn Bryce for the final, ruled out through injury after her starring display in the eight-wicket semi-final win over Ireland.
Bryce took 4-8 from four overs, including the wickets of Amy Hunter and Gaby Lewis for ducks in the first over of the game and opposing captain Laura Delany for two in the fifth, as Ireland slumped to 47-6 before rallying to 110-9.
That total proved insufficient as Bryce subsequently struck an unbeaten 35 from 29 balls after opener Megan McColl had hit 50 from 47, with Scotland reaching their target in 16.2 overs to qualify for their first World Cup in either the 20-over or 50-over format.
In the final, however, Scotland could not compete with the match-winning century from Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu.
She smashed 102 from just 63 balls, with four sixes and 13 fours, as her side posted an imposing score of 169-5.
Without Bryce to lead the chase, Scotland’s reply never got close, ultimately subsiding at 101-7 with a top score of 30 from Priyanaz Chatterji.
The main tournament begins on October 3 with England taking on South Africa in the opening match before hosts Bangladesh tackle one of the qualifiers later the same day.
The entire competition will be broadcast live on Sky Sports as Australia look to claim the title for the third time in a row and England target a first victory since the inaugural edition in 2009.
Women’s T20 World Cup groups
- Group A: Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
- Group B: South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Scotland
How to book Fury vs Usyk on Sky Sports Box Office
It’s one of the biggest sporting events in a generation. Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk collide for the undisputed world heavyweight championship on Saturday May 18, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book the fight now.