After two defeats in two matches, defending champions New Zealand’s T20 World Cup campaign seems to be doomed in 2026. However, all is not over.
Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Updated Group B points table after New Zealand’s defeat against Sri Lanka
New Zealand’s World Cup campaign faced two jolts as they lost their first two games, to the West Indies and Sri Lanka. New Zealand's poor catching has been in the news, with Shemaine Campbelle latching onto the advantage, hitting her first fifty - an unbeaten 90 - in 155 T20Is, while Nilakshika Silva made her second in 123 in the next game.
New Zealand now seem set to become the second team who are defending champions (after England in 2010) to not make it to the knockout stage of a Women’s T20 World Cup. However, all is not lost.
New Zealand’s remaining league matches at the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup
June 19: v Ireland, Southampton
June 23: v Scotland, Bristol
June 27: v England, The Oval
How New Zealand can still qualify for the semi-finals
It goes without saying that it is best for New Zealand if they win all three games. However, even that will not guarantee qualification, for New Zealand will also have to expect that no more than one team wins four games, and that is a problem.
England, for example, can win four even if they lose to New Zealand. So can the winner of West Indies versus Sri Lanka if they beat both Ireland and Scotland. If both happen, New Zealand will be eliminated (do note that they may still be eliminated on net run rate even if several teams finish with three wins).
What if New Zealand lose one more game? In that case, their best bet is to lose to England. If that happens, they have to hope
(a) England beat everyone else
(b) New Zealand beat both Ireland and Scotland
(c) Ireland beat both the West Indies and Sri Lanka
(d) Scotland to beat the winner of West Indies versus Sri Lanka
(e) Scotland to lose to the side that loses in West Indies-Sri Lanka
That will put the five teams other than England on four points each. If that happens, New Zealand can still go through on net run rate.
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.
