Scotland Women achieved their first-ever win at the ICC T20 World Cup with a 40-run victory over Ireland Women at Old Trafford on June 13, marking their second appearance in the tournament.
After the match, Scotland opener and all-rounder Katherine Fraser mentioned that the team was confident, having previously beaten both Nepal and Ireland. She added that this win would boost their confidence moving forward.
“We saw it coming. We beat Ireland in Nepal earlier this year, so we took a lot of confidence from that. We knew it would be tough, but we backed ourselves to win,” Fraser said, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
Scotland batted first, setting a target of 161 for 5 in 20 overs. Captain Kathryn Bryce scored 60 runs off 39 balls, partnering with wicketkeeper-batter Sarah Bryce, who contributed 49 runs off 35 balls. Kathryn also took 2 wickets for 19 runs in 3.1 overs, earning the Player of the Match award.
Fraser highlighted that the team’s effort and the resources invested in Scotland Cricket played a significant role in their performance. She recognized the dedication of her teammates in preparing for the tournament, emphasizing their goal to win matches.
“This shows the investment Scottish cricket has made in us and the talent of our group. Many of us have worked while training and had to take unpaid leave to play for Scotland. Now that we have professional contracts, we can train more effectively,” she said. “We hope this win shows we are serious about competing, and we had a great time today.”
Ireland was bowled out for 121 while chasing the target, with strong bowling from returning left-arm spinner Kirstie Gordon. After playing for England, she committed her future to Scotland in late 2025 and took 3 wickets for 16 runs in 4 overs. Alongside Fraser, who took 3 wickets for 19 runs, Gordon helped to restrict Ireland’s innings. Fraser commended Gordon’s performance and its positive impact on their momentum.
“I was next to her during the anthem and told her how amazing it was to sing with so many Scottish supporters. We were all emotional, and her bowling was incredible. She showed great Scottish passion and significantly contributed to our victory,” Fraser noted.
Scotland will play against the West Indies next at Headingley on June 18. They faced the Windies once before, losing by six wickets in the 2024 edition of the tournament.