ABU DHABI: An inspirational performance by captain Kathryn Bryce helped Scotland beat Ireland by eight wickets to earn their first-ever ticket to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
The competition will be held in Bangladesh from 3 to 20 October this year.
Bryce took 4 wickets and later scored 35 not-out as Scotland cruised to an easy win.
Ireland won the toss and elected to bat first, but the decision backfired as Bryce produced a sensational performance with the ball in the Powerplay overs.
The Scotland skipper sent back the dangerous opening pair of Amy Hunter and Gaby Lewis in the very first over to peg Ireland back. Hunter was castled by an inswinger off the second ball of the game and Lewis hit a pull shot straight to short mid-wicket off the fifth ball of the over.
Their woes were compounded when Orla Prendergast was run out in the third over for 11.
Bryce struck another blow in her third over, bowling Laura Delany for two as Ireland slipped to 21/4.
Scores in brief:
First semi-final:
Scotland beat Ireland by eight wickets
Ireland 110 for 9, 20 overs (Leah Paul 45, Arlene Kelly 35; Kathryn Bryce 4-8, Rachel Slater 3-32)
Scotland 112 for 2, 16.2 overs (Megan McColl 50, Kathryn Bryce 35 not out; Arlene Kelly 2-28)
Player of the Match – Kathryn Bryce
