After twelve years and 22 matches across five ICC Women’s T20 World Cup tournaments, Ireland finally secured their first victory at the event. On January 31, 2026, Ireland achieved a historic six-wicket win over West Indies in their final group stage match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Orla Prendergast played a pivotal role, scoring a composed half-century as Ireland successfully chased a target of 129 with 11 balls remaining. Although Ireland had already been eliminated from semi-final contention, their win significantly impaired West Indies’ chances of advancing, leaving their qualification dependent on the result of the group match between New Zealand and England, according to the ICC website.
Following Ireland’s decision to field first, Aimee Maguire spearheaded a disciplined bowling effort by dismissing Qiana Joseph in the first over. The West Indies batting line-up struggled to gain momentum and failed to hit a single six throughout the innings. Hayley Matthews recorded 22 runs off 25 balls in a challenging start, while Chinelle Henry remained unbeaten on 27 towards the end.
Despite early contributions from Matthews, Deandra Dottin, and Stafanie Taylor, the West Indies side lacked a significant innings or crucial partnerships to shift the match in their favour. The pitch at the Bristol County ground exhibited low bounce and uneven conditions, which Ireland exploited to maintain consistent pressure and take wickets regularly.
All five Irish bowlers took wickets, with Aimee Maguire’s figures of 2 for 22 and Cara Murray’s 2 for 13 standing out. Murray’s accurate bowling restricted the West Indies batsmen and included the key dismissal of Matthews.
Ireland’s batting response was mature and assured. Despite losing captain Gaby Lewis early, the team maintained momentum, highlighted by a 62-run partnership over 53 balls between Prendergast and Amy Hunter, who contributed 28 runs. Prendergast continued her form by striking eight fours and two sixes, her innings of 63 bringing Ireland close to victory.
When Matthews was caught by Deandra Dottin in the deep, memories arose of Ireland’s narrow four-run defeat to New Zealand earlier in the tournament. However, Ireland ensured there was no late collapse as Rebecca Stokell and Louise Little steadied the innings to secure the win. Little sealed the historic victory with a boundary off Aaliyah Alleyne.
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