Hong Kong’s hopes of playing the T20 Women’s World Cup in 2026 have been dashed after they were eliminated following three washed-out games in the Asia Regional Qualifiers.
A total of nine teams were participating in the Asia qualifiers, from where two teams will advance to the global qualifiers. The event, being held in Thailand, had three groups, with three teams each, and each side was scheduled to play the other twice. The top team from each group would then advance to the Super Three, from where the two teams that made the finals would make the global event.
Hong Kong were drawn in Group C, alongside Nepal and Bahrain, but their tournament started with a No Result as the clash against Nepal, on May 9, was abandoned with a single ball being bowled. Their next game, against Bahrain, met with a similar result, too, as rain ensured a match ended with a No Result.
Hong Kong finally played a full game in the competition on May 13, defeating the higher-ranked Nepal by seven wickets. While Nepal are ranked 21st in the ICC Women’s T20I rankings, Hong Kong are a place below, at No.22. The game was reduced to a five-over encounter, with Nepal scoring 29-3. Hong Kong chased down the target with three balls to spare.
Hong Kong eliminated from T20 World Cup Qualifier despite going unbeaten
It was their only win of the competition, as their last league game, against Bahrain, was called off due to rain as well. Hong Kong, who did not lose a game in the competition, ended with 5 points, tied with Nepal, who won two, both against the 75th-ranked Bahrain.
They even maintained a superior Net Run Rate, ending with a NRR of +0.867, as against Nepal’s +0.830. However, it was Nepal who advanced due to the rules in the ICC playing conditions, which state that, in case of tied points after a double round-robin stage, the side with more wins will qualify.
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This had also come into play in a more high-profile tournament – during the 2015 IPL, three teams (MI, RCB, RR) finished on 16 points after the league stage. Mumbai Indians, with the worst NRR (-0.043) among the three sides, had eight wins compared to RCB & RR's seven, and therefore qualified in second position.
Overall, 16 games in the Women's T20 World Cup qualifiers have been washed out due to rain thus far. The 2026 T20 World Cup will be played in England, with the final to be hosted at Lord’s. A total of 12 teams will take part, with 33 matches to be played.
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