A fairytale journey through the qualifiers has seen Netherlands reach their first Women's T20 World Cup. But how far can they go?
You probably remember how the Dutch celebrated when they qualified for the Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time. When the DLS Method announced that they had beaten the USA (and were certain of a berth), the cricketers slid across the rain-soaked covers at Kirtipur to create one of the most emotional cricketing moments of 2026.
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One can understand the jubilations: it was a proud moment for a team that has not qualified for the Women’s ODI World Cup since 2000. Now, having made it to the big league, more will be expected of the strongest cricketing powerhouse in the European mainland for at least a century.
Can the Dutch rise continue?
The Dutch have been pitted in Group 1 – the Group of Death at this World Cup – alongside heavyweights Australia, India, and South Africa; the rapidly improving Pakistan; and fellow qualifiers Bangladesh.
It is not going to be easy. Of their five oppositions, Netherlands have played neither Australia nor India. They have not played a T20I in England either.
None of that, however, tells how stunning and rapid the Dutch ascent has been through three rounds of qualifiers – the 2025 Division One Europe Qualifier, the 2025 Emerging Nations Trophy, and the 2026 Global Qualifiers. Across these three tournaments, they won 19 games and lost six – a stunning improvement on their 32-43 record before that. And now they have beaten Bangladesh, one of their potential opponents, for the first time.
The Dutch are undoubtedly on the rise: it is to be seen whether they can stun one of the big guns at the biggest stage.
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The big guns
When she steps out to toss against Bangladesh at Edgbaston, Babette de Leede will become the third World Cupper of the family, after uncle Tim and cousin Bas. Tim’s father Frans was an international umpire as well. A top-order bat and wicketkeeper, de Leede is one of the most crucial cogs of the Dutch squad.
No one in Netherlands history has more runs than opener Sterre Kalis. Her Yorkshire stint has certainly helped her acclimatise with the conditions (especially at Leeds, where the Netherlands will play India). This summer, she scored 38, 61, 45, 79, 65 not out, 46 in six consecutive innings in English domestic cricket – albeit in 50-over games.
The bowling will be led by the seamers, Isabel van der Woning and Iris Zwilling. Van der Woning played only four games in the qualifiers, but took nine wickets at a ridiculous 6.33 while going at 4.75 an over. Zwilling, their leading T20I wicket-taker, has been one of the longest-standing players, and is only two away from the 100-wicket mark.
Rounding off the list of potential stars are the senior all-rounders, Frederique Overdijk (the first to take seven wickets in a T20I) and Robine Rijke.
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Netherlands squad at the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup:
Babette de Leede (c & wk), Rosalie Lawrence (wk), Caroline de Lange, Frederique Overdijk, Hannah Landheer, Heather Siegers, Iris Zwilling, Isabel van der Woning, Lara Leemhuis, Myrthe van den Raad, Phebe Molkenboer, Robine Rijke, Sanya Khurana, Silver Siegers, Sterre Kalis.
Netherlands schedule at the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup
All timings local
June 14, 10.30am: v Bangladesh, Birmingham
June 17, 2.30pm: v India, Leeds
June 20, 10.30am: v Australia, Southampton
June 25, 6.30pm: v South Africa, Bristol
June 27, 10.30am: v Pakistan, Bristol
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