Will Babette de Leede Lead the Netherlands Squad for the Women's T20 WC Global Qualifier?
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Key Takeaways
Amsterdam, Jan 6 (NationPress) - On Tuesday, the Netherlands Cricket Board unveiled a 15-member roster for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier, scheduled to take place in Nepal from January 18 to February 1.
Babette de Leede has been appointed as the captain as the Netherlands gears up for a vital Women's T20 World Cup qualification journey. Head coach Neil MacRae expressed confidence in the squad, citing a blend of experience and recent strong performances as key factors in their quest for qualification.
“We have assembled a seasoned team for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier in Nepal,” he stated on the Netherlands cricket website.
MacRae also highlighted the Dutch team's impressive performance at the recent ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2025 in Thailand, where they secured a third-place finish.
“After demonstrating strong performances in the recent ICC Emerging Nations Tournament in Thailand, the squad is eager for the chance to qualify for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup,” MacRae added.
With their reputation bolstered by recent performances, the Dutch women achieved notable results late in 2025, including a commendable third-place finish in a competitive tournament in Thailand. They head to Nepal as a confident contender for a top-four finish that could secure them a ticket to the World Cup in England.
The Global Qualifier will feature teams from Bangladesh, Ireland, Netherlands, Namibia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Thailand, USA, and Zimbabwe. These teams are divided into two groups of five, with Ireland assigned to Group A. Following the group stage, the top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six round, where the top four teams will earn qualification for the Women’s T20 World Cup.
The 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup is set to take place in England and Wales in June, featuring 12 teams competing in 33 matches. This 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 spots for the 2026 edition, including hosts England, along with Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The remaining four spots will be determined through the global qualifying tournament.