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Babette de Leede to Lead Netherlands in Crucial T20 World Cup Qualifier

The Netherlands Cricket Board has announced a 15-member squad for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier in Nepal. Captain Babette de Leede will lead the team, which head coach Neil MacRae describes as experienced and buoyed by recent strong performances. The Dutch side enters the tournament confident after a third-place finish in the recent Emerging Nations Trophy. The top four teams from the Global Qualifier will secure the final spots for the expanded 12-team 2026 T20 World Cup in England and Wales.

Key Points: Netherlands Women's T20 WC Qualifier Squad Announced

  • Babette de Leede named captain
  • Squad balanced with experience
  • Team confident after strong 2025 performances
  • Top four in qualifier reach World Cup
  • 2026 World Cup expanded to 12 teams
2 min read

Babette de Leede to lead Netherlands squad for Women's T20 WC Global Qualifier

Babette de Leede to captain Netherlands in Nepal for ICC Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier. Squad aims for top-four finish.

"We have selected an experienced squad for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier in Nepal. - Neil MacRae"

Amsterdam, Jan 6

The Netherlands Cricket Board on Tuesday announced a 15-member squad for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier, to be held in Nepal from January 18 to February 1.

Babette de Leede will lead the team as the Netherlands prepare for a crucial Women's T20 World Cup qualification campaign. Head coach Neil MacRae believes the squad reflects a balance of experience, and recent strong performances will help them cross the qualification line.

"We have selected an experienced squad for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier in Nepal," he said to the Netherlands cricket website.

He also spoke of the Dutch side's impressive showing at the recent ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy 2025 in Thailand, where they finished third in the final standings.

"Having produced some strong performances in the recent ICC Emerging Nations Tournament in Thailand, the squad is excited about the opportunity to qualify for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup," added MacRae.

Recent performances have strengthened the team's reputation. The Dutch women produced several strong results late in 2025, including a third-place finish in a competitive tournament in Thailand. They enter Nepal as a confident contender for a top-four finish and a ticket to the World Cup in England.

The Global Qualifier will feature teams from Bangladesh, Ireland, the Netherlands, Namibia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Thailand, the USA and Zimbabwe. The teams have been divided into two groups of five, with Ireland placed in Group A. Following the group stage, the top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six round, from which the top four teams will qualify for the Women's T20 World Cup.

The 2026 Women's T20 World Cup will be held in England and Wales in June and will feature 12 teams competing in 33 matches. This marks an expansion from the 10-team tournaments held in Bangladesh in 2024 and South Africa in February 2023.

Eight teams have already secured qualification 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 decided through the global qualifying tournament.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
All the best to the Dutch team! 🏏 It's inspiring to see women's cricket grow globally. The qualifier in Nepal will be exciting. I'm glad India has already qualified, but competition is always good for the sport.
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Sarah B
Interesting to see the USA and Nepal in the mix too. The global game is truly expanding. The format seems fair, with a Super Six round. Best of luck to all teams fighting for those four spots.
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Vikram M
While it's great for the game, I hope the quality of cricket remains high. Sometimes these qualifiers can be one-sided. But Netherlands finishing 3rd in Thailand shows they have fight. Hope they give Ireland and Bangladesh a tough time.
R
Rohit P
The article mentions the 2026 World Cup in England. As an Indian fan, our women's team is already there, which is fantastic. But more teams means more unpredictable matches. Can't wait! Jai Hind!
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Nikhil C
Respectfully, I feel the coverage for these qualifiers is still very low compared to men's cricket. The ICC and boards need to promote these events more, especially in cricket-crazy countries like ours. The women deserve the spotlight too.

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