The Netherlands Cricket Board has announced a 15-member squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier, set to take place in Nepal from January 18 to February 1.
Team Leadership and Preparation
Babette de Leede will captain the team as the Netherlands gears up for an important Women’s T20 World Cup qualification campaign. Head coach Neil MacRae expressed confidence in the squad’s composition, highlighting a mix of experience and recent strong performances that he believes will aid their qualification efforts.
“We have selected an experienced squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier in Nepal,” MacRae stated on the Netherlands cricket website. He also noted the Dutch squad’s commendable performance at the recent ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2025 in Thailand, where they finished third.
“Having produced some strong performances in the recent ICC Emerging Nations Tournament in Thailand, the squad is excited about the opportunity to qualify for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup,” MacRae added.
Recent Achievements and Confidence
The team’s recent accomplishments have bolstered their reputation. The Dutch women secured several impressive results late in 2025, culminating in a third-place finish in the competitive tournament in Thailand. They enter the qualifier in Nepal with confidence, aiming for a top-four finish that would earn them a spot in the World Cup in England.
Global Qualifier Structure
The Global Qualifier will include teams from Bangladesh, Ireland, the Netherlands, Namibia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Thailand, the USA, and Zimbabwe. These teams are divided into two groups of five, with Ireland placed in Group A. After the group stage, the top three teams from each group will move on to the Super Six round, from which the top four teams will qualify for the Women’s T20 World Cup.
Upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup
The 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup is set to take place in England and Wales in June and will feature 12 teams competing in 33 matches. This edition marks an expansion from the previous 10-team tournaments held in Bangladesh in 2024 and South Africa in February 2023.
Eight teams have already secured their place in the 2026 tournament, including hosts England, along with Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The remaining four spots will be contested through the global qualifying tournament.