Ireland Women booked their place in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa in 2023 with a dramatic four-run win over Zimbabwe in the first semi-final of the Qualifiers, here on Friday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Put in to bat first, Ireland managed to post 137\/6, with valuable contributions from the middle-order.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Star opener Gaby Lewis was dismissed in the Powerplay, but Orla Prendergast, fresh from her impressive knock last game, carried Ireland with a 25-ball 28 before she was dismissed in the 12th over.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Laura Delany and Eimear Richardson got starts, but couldn't quite give the innings a push. That came from Rebecca Stokell, whose 12-ball 26 gave Ireland a strong push towards the end.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the run chase, Sharne Mayers held the innings together for Zimbabwe with a 36-ball 39.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Skipper Mary-Ann Musonda gave her good company with a 29-ball 31, the pair stringing together a fifty-run stand before Mayers was dismissed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Arlene Nora Kelly and Jane Maguire took two wickets apiece and Zimbabwe's required run rate got steeper once the skipper too was sent back.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
They eventually fell short by four runs as Ireland made it to the finals, ensuring their qualification to the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa next year.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Brief scores:<\/p>\r\n\r\n