South Africa successfully defended 136 in an 18-over game against Ireland in the Women’s T20 World Cup warm-up fixture in Loughborough. The experienced Marizanne Kapp led the way with the ball, her 4 for 24 helping South Africa dismiss Ireland for 120 in 17.4 overs. Shabnim Ismail, who had recently reversed her retirement, picked up 1 for 25 in her four overs.

Leah Paul was the only Ireland batter to pass 20 in their chase. Apart from Paul, only four Ireland batters got to double figures.

After South Africa were asked to bat first, they posted 136 for 8 on the back of captain Laura Wolvaardt‘s 65 off 37 balls, including seven fours and three sixes.

Defending champions New Zealand tuned up for the T20 World Cup with a 68-run drubbing of Bangladesh in their warm-up fixture in Loughborough. Captain Melie Kerr led the way with the bat, hitting an unbeaten 51 off 28 balls, before allrounder Nensi Patel made her case for World Cup selection with a four-wicket haul.

After opting to bowl, Bangladesh had to wait until the eighth over to separate New Zealand’s opening pair of Georgia Plimmer and Suzie Bates. The partnership ended on 68 when Plimmer (28) fell to Ritu Moni, who ended up taking two of the three New Zealand wickets that fell. While Bates and Izzy Sharp made forties, Amelia pressed on to score an unbeaten half-century, lifting the White Ferns to 193 for 3.

In response, Bangladesh could manage only 125 for 8. Their captain Sultana top-scored for them with an unbeaten 32 off 33 balls. Patel was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand and she found support from Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu and Flora Devonshire who all took a wicket each.

Captain Chamari Athapaththu‘s 94 helped Sri Lanka chase down 169 with ease against Pakistan. Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne together started strongly, putting up a 159-run stand as Sri Lanka won with eight balls to spare.

With the ball, right-arm seamer Chethana Vimukthi, who was called up as the injured Shashini Gimhani’s replacement for the T20 World Cup, made an impact for Sri Lanka, finishing with figures of 4 for 31. Vimukthi broke the 60-run stand between openers Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza, following which Pakistan lost wickets regularly. Captain Fatima Sana top-scored for Pakistan from No. 7 with 37 to push the total past 150. In reply, Sri Lanka made easy work of the chase, with Athapaththu hitting five sixes and nine fours in her 56-ball stay.

Scotland bowlers Katherine Fraser, Gabriella Fontenla and Abtaha Maqsood shared seven wickets between them to skittle Netherlands for 105 in their pursuit of 164 at the county ground in Derby. No.7 Frederique Overdijk was the only Netherlands batter to pass 25 on the day.

Earlier, Scotland put up 163 on 5, thanks to thirties from three of their top six. After opener Darcey Carter (33) and captain Kathryn Bryce (32) set the base for them, Priyanz Chatterji gave the final flourish (32*) along with Fontenla (20*).