Battle of the Emerald Isles: Ireland Women Face Bangladesh in Crucial T20 Warm-up

Welcome, fantasy cricket enthusiasts, to our preview of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Warm-up match between Ireland Women and Bangladesh Women. This fixture at Haslegrave Ground, Loughborough, on June 9, 2026, serves as a vital preparation for both teams ahead of the main tournament. While warm-up games often see teams experimenting with combinations, the competitive nature of these squads means we can expect high-intensity cricket. The pitch at Loughborough is typically a batting-friendly surface, offering good value for shots, and with clear weather predicted, we anticipate a full 20-over contest with plenty of runs. Our fantasy strategy will focus on aggressive batters who can capitalize on the conditions and wicket-taking bowlers who can break partnerships.

⭐ Top Captain Picks

  • Gaby Lewis (Ireland): The dynamic Irish opener is a cornerstone of their batting line-up and an absolute fantasy powerhouse. Her recent form has been exceptional, smashing 200 runs in her last five T20s at an impressive average of 40 and a strike rate of 125. With a career T20I average of 28 and a strike rate of 118, Lewis consistently provides rapid starts and accumulates significant fantasy points. She is an undeniable top choice for your captaincy, promising explosive returns.
  • Nigar Sultana (Bangladesh): Bangladesh's skipper and a reliable middle-order batter, Nigar Sultana offers stability and scoring potential. Her recent outings have seen her accumulate 180 runs in her last five T20s at an average of 36 and a strike rate of 115. As a wicketkeeper, she also offers additional points through dismissals. Sultana's ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when needed makes her a strong contender for captaincy, especially on a batting track like Loughborough.
  • Orla Prendergast (Ireland): The talented Irish all-rounder is a dual threat and a fantasy dream. Prendergast has been in scintillating form, contributing 100 runs and snaring 7 wickets in her last five T20 appearances. Her career T20I stats, including a batting average of 20 with a strike rate of 110 and an economy rate of 6.5 along with 30 wickets, highlight her consistent contributions. Her ability to deliver with both bat and ball makes her an excellent captaincy choice, offering multiple avenues for points.

🥈 Vice-Captain Picks

  • Nahida Akter (Bangladesh): The spearhead of Bangladesh's spin attack, Nahida Akter is a consistent wicket-taker. With 9 wickets in her last five T20s and a stellar economy rate of 5.5, she is an invaluable asset. Her career T20I record boasts 80 wickets at an economy of 6.0, proving her reliability. She's a perfect vice-captain for her ability to pick crucial wickets and restrict runs, particularly valuable in the middle overs.
  • Laura Delany (Ireland): The experienced Irish captain provides crucial all-round value. In her recent matches, Delany has scored 80 runs and picked up 5 wickets, showcasing her versatility. Her career T20I stats, including a batting average of 18 and 50 wickets with an economy of 6.8, make her a consistent fantasy performer. She offers a safe vice-captaincy option with her contributions in both departments, especially useful in a warm-up.
  • Shorna Akter (Bangladesh): A promising young all-rounder, Shorna Akter is known for her aggressive batting and handy off-spin. She has scored 60 runs and taken 4 wickets in her last five T20s. Her career T20I strike rate of 130 makes her a dangerous power-hitter, and her ability to pick up wickets adds to her fantasy appeal. As a high-impact player, she is a great vice-captaincy choice, particularly if Bangladesh bats first.

💎 Differential Picks

  • Amy Hunter (Ireland): The Irish wicketkeeper-batter has shown good form recently, scoring 120 runs in her last five T20s at an average of 30. Often overlooked, Hunter can provide valuable runs and additional points behind the stumps. On a batting-friendly pitch, she has the potential to play a significant innings and boost your fantasy score, offering great value for her ownership.
  • Rabeya Khan (Bangladesh): This leg-spinner for Bangladesh has been quietly effective, picking up 5 wickets in her last five T20s with an economy rate of 6.2. On a flat track where batters might look to attack, her variations could prove deadly, leading to multiple wickets. She could be a low-ownership gem who delivers big returns and swings mini-leagues in your favor.

❌ Players to Avoid

  • Murshida Khatun (Bangladesh): While capable, Murshida has shown inconsistency in her recent T20 performances. With a strong top order, she might not get sufficient opportunities to make a significant impact, making her a risky pick for this warm-up game where others are in better touch and offer more reliable fantasy returns.
  • Ava Canning (Ireland): A young pacer, Ava Canning might find it challenging on a flat Loughborough pitch. Her economy rate can sometimes be on the higher side, and without consistent wicket-taking ability in recent matches, she may struggle to provide significant fantasy returns in what is expected to be a high-scoring encounter. Her high-cost potential could limit her points.

🏏 Dream Team XI

Our Dream Team XI for this clash balances aggressive batting with potent bowling options, focusing on all-rounders to maximize fantasy points. We've opted for a robust batting line-up supported by wicket-taking spinners and medium-pacers. Our XI features 4 top-order batters (including two WKs), 3 impactful all-rounders, and 4 key bowlers, ensuring coverage across all aspects of the game and a high fantasy ceiling.

  • Gaby Lewis (IRE)
  • Amy Hunter (IRE - WK)
  • Nigar Sultana (BAN - WK)
  • Fargana Hoque (BAN)
  • Orla Prendergast (IRE)
  • Laura Delany (IRE)
  • Shorna Akter (BAN)
  • Nahida Akter (BAN)
  • Arlene Kelly (IRE)
  • Marufa Akter (BAN)
  • Cara Murray (IRE)