IRE-W vs SCO-W Fantasy Team Prediction, Pitch Report and Weather — T20 World Cup 2026

This is one of the most anticipated matches of the group stage from a neutral perspective. Ireland Women take on Scotland Women in what is being called the all-Celtic clash of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. It is the second match of the tournament happening on June 13 at Old Trafford in Manchester just one day after England kicked off against Sri Lanka.

Both sides came through the qualifying rounds in Nepal to earn their place here. Both are playing their first Women’s T20 World Cup match of 2026. And both will be desperate to get off to a winning start because the rest of Group 2 England, West Indies, New Zealand and Sri Lanka are no pushovers.

This is a proper cup tie between two sides who know each other very well. Scotland have won the last three meetings. Ireland will be looking to put that right on the biggest stage they have ever played on.

IRE-W vs SCO-W Last 5 Matches

Ireland Women recent form: W L W W A
Ireland have won 3 of their last 5 matches. The A result was an abandoned match. They come into this tournament on the back of a decent run of form with Gaby Lewis leading well from the front.

Scotland Women recent form: W W W L W
Scotland are in outstanding form. They have won 4 of their last 5 matches. The one loss was their only slip in what has been a very consistent run. They have not lost since January 2026 in meaningful cricket.

Form advantage: Scotland

Also Read-ENG-W vs SL-W ICC Women T20 World Cup 2026 Match Preview, Pitch Report, Weather and Fantasy Team

Head to Head Record Last 5 Matches — Ireland Women vs Scotland Women

• Scotland Women won by 39 runs on 28 January 2026
• Scotland Women won by 8 wickets with 22 balls remaining on 5 May 2024
• Scotland Women won by 8 wickets with 5 balls remaining on 24 October 2023
• Ireland Women won by 7 wickets with 21 balls remaining on 23 October 2023
• Ireland Women won by 19 runs on 21 September 2022

Scotland have won 3 of the last 5 T20Is including the most recent meeting in January 2026. That is a dominant recent record and gives Scotland the psychological edge going into this World Cup opener.

Head to head summary: Scotland lead 3-2 in last 5 meetings. Scotland won the most recent match by 39 runs as recently as January 2026.

IRE-W vs SCO-W Fantasy Team Prediction Pitch Report — Emirates Old Trafford Manchester

From your ESPNcricinfo screenshot the venue stats for Old Trafford tell an interesting story. There has only been 1 women’s T20I played at this ground which makes the pitch data very limited. But here is what we know:

That is a remarkable stat. The only women’s T20I played at Old Trafford was won by the team chasing. The team that chased 126 reached the target of 127 successfully. This strongly suggests winning the toss and bowling first is the right call at Old Trafford.

Average first innings score of 126 is on the lower side. A score of 130 to 140 would be a very good total at this ground.

Both captains will want to bowl first after winning the toss based on this data.

Also Read-Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Venues: Full Guide to All Stadiums in England

Weather Report — Manchester June 13 2026

Manchester in mid-June can be unpredictable. The morning start time of 10:30 AM BST means both teams will be playing in cooler conditions than an evening match. This suits bowlers more than batters. The ball will swing in the morning air and seamers will be dangerous early on.

Check the latest forecast before the match for any rain update as Manchester is known for its wet weather. A reserve day is available for this match if needed.

Source-Weather Report — Manchester June 13 2026

Scotland Women Squad for T20 World Cup 2026

Scotland: Kathryn Bryce (c), Chloe Abel, Olivia Bell, Sarah Bryce, Darcey Carter, Priyanaz Chatterji, Gabriella Fontenla, Katherine Fraser, Kirstie Gordon, Ailsa Lister, Maisie Maceira, Abtaha Maqsood, Megan McColl, Rachel Slater, Pippa Sproul.

Also Read-Best Fantasy Cricket Apps for Women’s T20 World Cup 2026

Ireland Women Squad for T20 World Cup 202

Ireland Women — Full Squad T20 World Cup 2026

Ireland: Gaby Lewis (captain), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell, Alice Tector.

Predicted Playing XIs

Ireland Women Predicted XI:

1. Gaby Lewis (C) — All-Rounder
2. Orla Prendergast (VC) — All-Rounder
3. Rebecca Stokell — Batter
4. Leah Paul — All-Rounder
5. Alice Tector — All-Rounder
6. Georgina Dempsey — Batter
7. Amy Hunter (WK) — Wicketkeeper Batter
8. Arlene Kelly — All-Rounder
9. Lara McBride — Bowler
10. Louise Little — Bowler
11. Cara Murray — Bowler

Scotland Women Predicted XI:

1. Katherine Fraser — All-Rounder
2. Megan McColl — Batter
3. Kathryn Bryce (C) — All-Rounder
4. Priyanaz Chatterji — All-Rounder
5. Darcey Carter — All-Rounder
6. Chloe Abel — All-Rounder
7. Sarah Bryce (WK) — Wicketkeeper Batter
8. Abtaha Maqsood — Bowler
9. Kirstie Gordon — Bowler
10. Rachel Slater — Bowler
11. Olivia Bell — Bowler

Players to Watch

Gaby Lewis — Ireland Lewis finished as the top run scorer in the World Cup qualifiers with 276 runs from 7 matches. She has been in this kind of form for a while now and she carries Ireland’s batting on her shoulders. If she gets in today Ireland are going to post a decent total. If she goes early Ireland are in trouble. Simple as that.

Orla Prendergast — Ireland 274 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 131. She opens or bats at three and she hits the ball hard from the start. Scotland’s bowlers will not want to give her width early on because she punishes anything short or wide of off stump. One of the most exciting batters in associate women’s cricket right now.

Katherine Fraser — Scotland 256 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of nearly 130. She is the batter who holds the Scotland innings together. Not as explosive as some of the others but she builds her innings smartly and is very hard to get out once she is set. Scotland need her to go deep today.

Arlene Kelly — Ireland 14 wickets in 10 matches. She is Ireland’s best bowler and she will be the one doing the damage with the new ball this morning. Old Trafford in the morning air with some swing available is exactly the kind of conditions she loves. Watch her first spell closely.

Kathryn Bryce — Scotland 16 wickets in 10 matches at an economy of 6.06. She bowls, she bats and she captains. Scotland basically run through her. If she takes two or three early wickets today Ireland could find themselves in real trouble in the middle overs.

Lara McBride — Ireland 11 wickets in 7 matches at an economy of 5.3. That economy rate is genuinely remarkable. She does not go for runs and she takes wickets. For a bowling attack in associate cricket that is as good as it gets. Ireland will be depending on her to keep Scotland quiet in the middle overs.

Abtaha Maqsood — Scotland She has been Scotland’s most dangerous bowler for years and she plays county cricket for Essex so Old Trafford conditions are not unfamiliar to her. Her off-spin in the middle overs can completely change a match. If Scotland bowl first she could be the difference between Ireland posting 140 and Ireland posting 110.

Match Prediction

Scotland go into this match as the favourites based on recent form and the head to head record. They have beaten Ireland three times in a row including by 39 runs just five months ago in January 2026.

However this is a World Cup. The biggest stage Ireland Women have ever played on. Gaby Lewis is one of the best captains in associate women’s cricket and she knows how to win big matches. Ireland have some seriously talented cricketers and they will not roll over.

The morning conditions at Old Trafford will help Ireland’s seamers early on. If Arlene Kelly and Lara McBride can get early wickets Scotland could find themselves in trouble.

Our prediction: Scotland Women to win but this will be much closer than the January 2026 result suggests. Expect Ireland to push them hard.

Best Fantasy XI — IRE-W vs SCO-W T20 World Cup 2026

Here is our best fantasy team for today’s match based on recent form stats from ESPNcricinfo.