The Sri Lanka-Scotland clash in the Women's T20 World Cup is of immense significance - here's why.
Five league games remain in the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup, with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the semi-finals.
In Group A, Australia have nearly sealed a top-four berth, with four wins out of four, while either India or South Africa will be the second team to qualify. In Group B, England are through to the knockouts, and the battle for the second spot is most likely between the West Indies and defending champions New Zealand.
But there’s more to play for other teams as well: The top four teams from each group will directly qualify for the next T20 World Cup, to be played in Pakistan in 2028. The qualification pathway for the mega event was decided during the ICC board meeting in Ahmedabad earlier this month.
What are the qualification rules for the 2028 Women's T20 World Cup?
Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: Group A points table
Team | Played | Won | Lost | No Result | Points | NRR |
Australia | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 4.724 |
India | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2.268 |
South Africa | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0.734 |
Bangladesh | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | -0.849 |
Pakistan (E) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | -2.831 |
Netherlands (E) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | -3.640 |
Like the ongoing T20 World Cup, the 2028 edition will also see 12 teams featuring. Eight teams will attain direct qualification from the T20 World Cup 2026 (top four teams from each group at the end of the group stage). Hosts Pakistan, being the hosts, have also qualified directly, despite not winning a single game in the event thus far. They will fail to finish in the top four sides in Group A even if they win against the Netherlands in their last game. The next highest-ranked team on the ICC Women’s T20I rankings as of July 6, 2026, will make the cut.
A 10-team Global Qualifier will determine the last two spots in the tournament.
Why is today’s match important for Scotland?
Sri Lanka are set to face Scotland today at Old Trafford in Manchester on Friday (June 26). Sri Lanka have a slender chance of making it to the knockouts, but Scotland have already been eliminated from the World Cup. However, a win can take Scotland to the fourth position in the Group B points table. They are currently on two points after four matches, with one win and three losses.
Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: Group B points table
Team | Played | Won | Lost | No Result | Points | NRR |
England | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2.342 |
West Indies | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0.008 |
New Zealand | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0.122 |
Sri Lanka | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | -0.973 |
Scotland (E) | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | -0.236 |
Ireland (E) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | -1.277 |
Sri Lanka are in fourth place with four points from as many matches, but with an inferior net run-rate as compared to Scotland’s. A win for Scotland will take them to fourth place and help them dfirectly qualify for the T20 World Cup 2028.
ICC Women’s T20I Team Rankings (as of June 26, 2026)
Rank | Team | Rating Points |
1 | Australia | 288 |
2 | England | 276 |
3 | India | 263 |
4 | New Zealand | 250 |
5 | South Africa | 245 |
6 | West Indies | 240 |
7 | Sri Lanka | 237 |
8 | Pakistan | 210 |
9 | Ireland | 201 |
10 | Bangladesh | 196 |
11 | Scotland | 168 |
Ireland are languishing at the bottom of the Group B points table with four losses in as many outings. Their final group stage encounter is against the West Indies on Saturday, June 27. If Scotland win against Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka will still seal a direct berth as they are the highest-ranked team out of the top eight in the rankings. If Scotland miss out on finishing in the top four in their group, Ireland will make it.
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.
