PAKISTANNETHERLANDSTHAILANDZIMBABWE

GROUP a

SRI LANKAIRELANDCANADAJAPAN

GROUP B

The ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier 2013 provides eight teams with the

opportunity to advance to one of global cricket’s most exciting events, the ICC World Twenty20 2014.

Three places in the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 will be determined here in Ireland, with the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier to be held in Dublin between 23 and 31 July. The top three teams will join Australia, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies, and the host, Bangladesh, in a ten-team tournament that will again be played alongside the men’s event.

In this qualifying event, the teams are split into two groups as per their global rankings. Sri Lanka and Pakistan qualified for the tournament by virtue of finishing seventh and eighth in the ICC World Twenty20 Sri Lanka 2012.

Ireland and Netherlands (both Europe), Thailand (Asia), Canada (Americas), Japan (East Asia-Pacific) and Zimbabwe (Africa) qualified through regional tournaments.

The final two days of the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier 2013 will be streamed live at www.icc-cricket.com, and viewers will be able to watch the final, the 3rd v 4th play-off and the semi-finals free of charge. This is the first time that women’s qualification matches will be broadcast by the ICC to a global audience, marking another important step in the growth of women’s cricket globally.

More information on the ICC WWT20Q 2013 and the competing teams can be found at www.icc-cricket.com.

IRELAND 23-31 JULY 2013

OFFICIaL GUIDE WOMEN’SWORLD TWENTY20 QUALIFIER

OFFICIaL GUIDEWORLD TWENTY20 QUALIFIER

Eshani Kaushalya helped lead Sri Lanka to its first victory over a top-four team (England) during the ICC Women’s World Cup India 2013

GROUP anETHERLanDSNetherlands claimed the second of the qualifying places from last August’s ICC Europe Women’s T20 Qualifier thanks to a seven-run victory over Scotland. In a tournament unfavourably affected by rain, the final game between Netherlands and Scotland decided who joined winner Ireland in the upcoming tournament. Miranda Veringmeier struck a crucial 50 as the Dutch reached 115-6. Laura Browers was the pick of the Netherlands bowlers in the response – taking 2-5 from her four overs – as Scotland could only manage 108-9.

Netherlands is competing in Division Three of the ECB Women’s County Championship in 2013, having finished eighth out of nine in Division Two and then losing a play-off match to Ireland in 2012. The Dutch made a bright start to the 50-over Championship season this year, winning the opening four matches thanks to some impressive individual performances with bat and ball.

Netherlands also takes part in the ECB Women’s T20 Championship.

Player to WatchMiranda VeringmeierMiranda Veringmeier was 15 when she took her ODI and T20I bows in July 2008 and now poses the biggest danger with the bat in the Dutch line-up to opposition teams. The right-hander, who also keeps wicket, top scored in both of her team’s completed matches in the ICC Europe Women’s T20 Qualifier last August. Veringmeier has been contributing consistently as an opener during the ECB Women’s County Championship in 2013.

PakISTanDespite a memorable one-run victory over India at the group stage of the ICC Women’s World T20 2012, Pakistan missed out on direct qualification for the next tournament when it lost a tight play-off match to South Africa off the penultimate delivery. India got revenge for that loss in Sri Lanka with victories over Pakistan at the group and final stages of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2012 in China last October. Pakistan otherwise accounted for Thailand and Hong Kong in group matches before defeating Bangladesh by six wickets in the semi-final. Sana Mir (4-13), Bismah Maroof (2-14) and Mariam Hasan (2-8) reduced India to 81 from its 20 overs but the batting let Pakistan down, slumping to 63 all out in response.

Pakistan endured a disappointing ICC Women’s World Cup in February, losing to India in the play-off for seventh spot, before undergoing a further rigorous examination on a tour of England in June and early July – a visit that culminated in a thrilling one run victory for the tourists in the second T20I, the first win for Pakistan Women over England in any format.

Player to WatchBismah MaroofBismah Maroof was Player of the Tournament at the ACC Women’s Twenty20 Asia Cup 2012, taking five wickets @ 9 to supplement the 113 runs that saw her finish as leading runscorer. The young left-hander has also impressed this year with 43 against Australia in the ICC Women’s World Cup and a half-century this month in an ODI against England.

THaILanDThailand qualified for this tournament by virtue of winning the ACC Women’s Championship 2013, which it hosted in January. After winning four out of five group matches, Thailand stunned previously unbeaten Nepal by dismissing the side for just 38 in the semi-final to set up a seven-wicket victory. Thailand then gained revenge for losing to China in the group stage by defeating it by 17 runs in the final.

Thailand found the going tougher in the ACC Women’s Twenty20 Asia Cup 2012, held in China last October. In a tough group, Thailand lost to Pakistan and India before gaining a consolation victory against Hong Kong.

Thailand served notice of its burgeoning presence by reaching the final of the ACC U-19 Women’s Championship 2012 in Kuwait in February 2012, losing to Nepal in the decider. Several of the players who took part in the junior tournament have since graduated to the full side and will be hoping to make their mark in Ireland.

Player to WatchSornnarin TippochThailand captain Sornnarin Tippoch led from the front in the ACC Women’s Championship 2013, being named Player of the Tournament. Tippoch averaged 93 with the bat – including the first ever century scored in the tournament’s history, 108 not out against Singapore - and took 13 wickets @ 5.30 with the ball. The skipper rescued her team with the bat in the final, hitting 28 not out against China to lead a recovery from 46-5.

ZIMBaBWEZimbabwe earned its place in this tournament after finishing second to South Africa, who had already qualified for the ICC Women’s World T20 2014, in the ICC Africa Women’s World T20 Qualifier.

Zimbabwe went unbeaten in the event, winning four matches and seeing its game against South Africa abandoned. Victories followed against Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Namibia, with Zimbabwe’s bowlers to the fore – restricting its vanquished opponents to a top score of 75 in the four successive wins.

Four run outs proved key in the first win against Tanzania when Zimbabwe defended a small total of 80 by five runs. Zimbabwe’s highest score of the tournament came against Uganda, when it made 102-8. Uganda never threatened to chase down the target, slumping to 69 all out with Precious Marange taking four wickets.

Kenya was then dispatched by 25 runs as another tight bowling and fielding display meant Zimbabwe was able to limit its opponent to just 70-8. Finally, in a match reduced to 15-overs-per-side, Namibia managed only 43-7 with Hazvinei Saili taking 2-5 in three overs.

Player to WatchPrecious MarangeRight-arm fast-medium bowler Precious Marange produced her side’s stand-out bowling performance during the ICC Africa Women’s World T20 Qualifier in December 2012. Marange took 4-8 from her four overs in the victory against Uganda. The experienced cricketer, who can also chip in with the bat, has been a mainstay of the Zimbabwe team for many years.

GROUP BJaPanJapan prepared for the ICC Women’s WT20 Qualifier with a tour of the UK in April, having won the ICC EAP Championship in May 2012 and then reached the final of the SCA International Women’s Challenge in Singapore two months later.

Japan acquitted itself well in Singapore, including a victory over the host with a record first-wicket stand of 108 between Miho Kanno (65) and Ayako Nakayama (39). Japan progressed to the final but lost to Thailand by four wickets in a match reduced to 15 overs per side.

Despite the final defeat there was individual success for Kurumi Ohta, (Bowler of the Tournament) and all-rounder Ayako Nakayama (Player of the Tournament).

Shizuka Miyaji captained the side in Singapore, having taken over from long-standing Ema Kuribayashi, who announced her retirement after overseeing the defence of the ICC EAP Championship in May 2012 in Vanuatu.

Japan won all its five matches in the EAP event, with Kuribayashi edging out team-mate Mariko Yamamoto for Player of the Tournament.

Player to WatchAyako NakayamaAyako Nakayama was named Player of the Tournament at the SCA International Women’s Challenge. Chief among her performances was a century first-wicket stand against Singapore alongside Miho Kanna. The all-rounder’s other recent efforts include the Player of the Match performance against PNG, picking up 3-17 with her off-spin, in a crucial win during the ICC EAP Women’s Championship in May 2012.

OFFICIaL GUIDE WOMEN’S WORLD TWENTY20 QUALIFIER

CanaDaCanada qualified for this tournament after winning the ICC Americas T20 Women’s Championship, held in the Cayman Islands in April 2012. After recording victories over Brazil, Bermuda, Cayman Islands and Argentina, Canada won the event on net-run-rate after the final against USA was rained off.

Durriya Shabbir, the leading run-scorer in the tournament, ensured a good start to the event with 63 as Canada smashed 181-3 in a 126-run victory over Brazil. Lorraine Kenton starred with the ball in Canada’s second victory, taking 3-8 in her four overs during another emphatic win, this time against Bermuda. Shabbir (48) and Joanna White (99 not out) put on 127 for the third-wicket as Canada posted 191-4 in the 106-run win over Cayman Islands. Then, in a match reduced to five-overs-per-side, Canada’s bowlers came to the fore to restrict Argentina to 24-6 in pursuit of 36. Kamna Mirchandani claimed 2-6 from her solitary over.

Canada also holds the ICC Americas 50-over Women’s Championship.

Player to WatchJoanna White Joanna White has been a key member of the Canada side for a number of years, winning the Player of the Tournament as far back as the ICC Women’s Americas Championship 2007. White was the second highest tournament run-scorer in the ICC Americas T20 Women’s Championship 2012 with 148 for just twice out, including 99 not out against Cayman Islands. White also chipped in with her right-arm medium pace to help Canada reach this Qualifier.

IRELanDIreland has placed its faith in youth for the tournament, selecting 13-year-old Lucy O’Reilly and 15-year-old Elena Tice – the latter of whom made her senior debut at 13 – in its 14-member squad. Alongside the five teenagers at coach Jeremy Bray’s disposal is the experience of the likes of skipper Isobel Joyce and Clare Shillington.

Ireland played a home tri-nation T20 series last summer against Pakistan and Bangladesh, losing both matches but gaining invaluable experience ahead of the upcoming tournament. Defeat to Bangladesh came off the penultimate ball in a closely-fought match at Clontarf. Ireland also finished bottom in a 50-over home tri-nation series against the same opposition earlier in August but it did finish top of the ICC Europe Women’s T20 Qualifier in the same month. Victories against Netherlands and Scotland, combined with two no results, earned first place ahead of the former.

Several of Ireland’s squad warmed up for the latest qualifier with a trip to La Manga as part of the Development side.

Player to WatchClare ShillingtonHugely experienced right-hander Clare Shillington has been a mainstay of the Irish batting order since making her ODI debut against South Africa in 1997 as a 16-year-old. Shillington was Ireland Women’s Player of the Year in 2012 and was the first female cricketer in Ireland to reach 100 international caps, including one Test match appearance – against Pakistan in July 2000.

She hit successive ODI half-centuries against Pakistan and Bangladesh in August 2012.

SRI LankaSri Lanka enjoyed an eventful ICC Women’s World T20 2012 on home soil, claiming a memorable victory but then slumping to a comprehensive defeat against India in the play-off to decide which side would qualify automatically for the next ICC Women’s World T20.

In a match reduced in overs due to rain, Sri Lanka managed to restrict West Indies to 42-8, in pursuit of 48 in eight overs, in their Group B encounter. Chamani Seneviratna finished with 2-4 – including a maiden – from her two overs while Inoka Ranaweera also claimed two victims.

Disappointing batting displays hampered Sri Lanka’s progress in the tournament, however, as it was bowled out for 79 by South Africa and 89 by New Zealand in its other group matches.

Sri Lanka reached the semi-final of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2012 but was knocked out by India by virtue of an inferior group record after the game was washed out.

West Indies gained revenge for defeat in the ICC Women’s World T20 2012 with victories in ODI (2-1) and T20I (4-1) series in Sri Lanka in February and March 2013.

Player to WatchEshani KaushalyaAlthough Sri Lanka was beaten 4-1, vice-captain Eshani Kaushalya came out of the recent home T20I series against West Indies in good heart thanks to some outstanding all-round efforts. Kaushalya was both leading runscorer and wicket-taker for her side, taking nine wickets with her medium pace and hitting 95 runs including a top score of 44.

WELCOME MESSaGES

ICC CONTACTSPhotos courtesy of ICC/Getty, Cricket Association of Thailand, Cricket Canada, Cricket Ireland, Japan Cricket Association, Koninklijke Nederlandse Cricket Bond (KNCB) and Zimbabwe Cricket.

Designed and produced by Tobasgo Creative

CREDITS SPONSORS

ALAN ISAACWelcome to the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier 2013, which is being held across four venues in Ireland from 23 to 31 July 2013.

I am very pleased to welcome the host, Ireland, as well as the seven other competing nations - Canada, Japan, Netherlands, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Zimbabwe – to this event,

which is the final step in the qualification pathway to the ICC World Twenty20 2014, to be held in Bangladesh.

The top three teams in this event will advance to the ICC World Twenty20 2014, where they will join Australia, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies, and the host, Bangladesh, in a ten-team tournament that will again be played alongside the men’s.

The Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier is an important competition that provides our Members with the opportunity to compete with the very top teams in women’s cricket. This plays an important role in improving the standard of competitive cricket on the field of play among all our Members. The event also complements the ICC’s ongoing work to improve all facets of the development of the game, including facilities, coaching, governance, education and domestic competitions.

I would like to thank Cricket Ireland for its hard work in preparing for and staging this event, as well as the media who help to promote women’s cricket. The coverage provided by local and travelling media is integral to the continued growth of women’s cricket around the globe.

Finally, I urge the match officials and all the players of Canada, Ireland, Japan, Netherlands, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Zimbabwe to enjoy the experience of representing their country, to play the game in the best spirit, and may the best team win.

Alan IsaacICC President

ICC WOMEn’S WORLD TWEnTY20 QUaLIFIER 2013 MaTCH SCHEDULE

Event Operations: David Thorley Tel: (+971) 506 405 826Email: david.thorley@icc-cricket.com

Local Media Manager: Mary GodbeerTel: +44 (0) 20 7616 8639Email: mary.godbeer@icc-europe.org

Media Manager: Bridget RiveTel: (+971) 506 401 223Email: bridget.rive@icc-cricket.com

DAY DATE TIME THE HILLS YMCA MERRION MALAHIDE

Mon 22nd July Practice Day for all teams

1 Tues 23rd July10.00 - 12.45 Ireland v Japan (match 1) Netherlands v Zimbabwe (match 2)

14.00 - 16.45 Sri Lanka v Canada (match 3) Pakistan v Thailand (match 4)

2 Wed 24th July Rest/Reserve Day

3 Thurs 25th July10.00 - 12.45 Thailand v Netherlands (match 5) Canada v Ireland (match 6)

14.00 - 16.45 Zimbabwe v Pakistan (match 7) Japan v Sri Lanka (match 8)

4 Fri 26th July Rest/Reserve Day

5 Sat 27th July10.00 - 12.45 Thailand v Zimbabwe (match 9) Pakistan v Netherlands (match 10)

14.00 - 16.45 Japan v Canada (match 11) Ireland v Sri Lanka (match 12)

6 Sun 28th July Rest/Reserve Day

7 Mon 29th July10.00 - 12.45 Trophy SF1: A1 v B2 (match 15)* Shield SF 1: A3 v B4 (match 13)

14.00 - 16.45 Trophy SF 2: A2 v B1 (match 16)* Shield SF 2: A4 v B3 (match 14)

8 Tues 30th July Rest/Reserve Day

9 Wed 31st July10.00 - 12.45 Trophy Final: Winner of match 15

v Winner of match 16*Shield Final: Winner of match 13

v Winner of match 14

14.00 - 16.45 3rd/4th Trophy Play-off: Loser of match 15 v loser of match 16*

Loser of match 13 v loser of match 14

10 Thurs 1st August Reserve Day

ROBIN WALSHThe anticipation surrounding this ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier has always been extremely keen, but developments as recently as last month have taken expectations to an even higher level.

The news that not just one but three teams will leave Dublin as qualifiers for Bangladesh 2014 will ensure all the 20

games will have real edge. The glittering prize of a world stage under the glare of the television camera is there to be won by all comers and, thus, the next couple of weeks will see yet another shot in the arm for the women’s game.

Proof, if proof were needed, of the ICC’s focus on the women’s game can also been seen in its recently announced calendar of events, with more women’s global tournament than ever to be played from 2016 to 2023. The calendar includes two ICC Women’s World Cups and four ICC World Twenty20 tournaments.

The hosting of this qualifying tournament in no fewer than four of Dublin’s first class grounds also coincides with Cricket Ireland’s ambitious plans to develop both the men’s and women’s games to the highest level – and the aim is Full Member Test status by 2020.

One of the strategies is the frequent hosting of high-profile tournaments and this coming together of the eight international teams falls neatly into that category.

Cricket Ireland, therefore, thanks the ICC for the privilege of hosting the event and, if hard work is any yardstick, I have no doubt the army of volunteers at the four venues and elsewhere will ensure a memorable tournament.

On a personal note, I extend to our overseas visitors the warmest of Irish welcomes to the delights of Dublin. Enjoy the city, but most of all enjoy the cricket.

Robin WalshCricket Ireland President

*Live stream matches