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Gaby Lewis to Lead Ireland at Women’s T20 World Cup

Rafiq Hasan · 21/05/2026 · 3 min read

A New Era for Irish Cricket

The Irish women’s cricket team has entered an exciting phase as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in England this June and July. In a significant leadership move, Gaby Lewis has been named captain for the tournament, marking the first time she will lead the national side at a major global event. Her appointment underscores her vital role in the team’s future as they look to make a mark on the international stage.

Squad Adjustments and Injury Updates

Gaby Lewis is currently focusing on her recovery from a recent leg injury. As a precautionary measure, she will sit out the upcoming T20I tri-series against Pakistan and the West Indies, which will be hosted in Clontarf. During her absence, vice-captain Orla Prendergast will step into the leadership role to guide the squad through the tri-series.

The squad selection has seen some tactical shifts due to injury concerns. Right-arm medium pacer Jane Maguire has been ruled out of contention for the time being. However, there is positive news regarding her sister, Aimee Maguire, the left-arm orthodox spinner, who has successfully returned from her own injury setback and has been included in both the tri-series and World Cup squads.

World Cup Ambitions

Ireland faces a formidable challenge at the T20 World Cup, having been drawn into a competitive group that includes tournament hosts England, defending champions New Zealand, Scotland, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies. Currently ranked ninth in the world, Ireland will be looking to leverage their experience from the T20 World Cup qualifiers held in Nepal earlier this year, where they finished second to Bangladesh.

The team is set to open their World Cup campaign on the second day of the competition, facing Scotland in Manchester. This match is seen as a crucial encounter for Ireland to establish momentum against a familiar rival.

The Importance of Key Performers

Ireland’s success will heavily depend on the fitness and form of Gaby Lewis. As the team’s top-ranked batter—currently sitting at joint-14th in the ICC T20I rankings—her presence at the crease is essential. Lewis demonstrated her class during the recent qualifiers, finishing as the top run-getter with an impressive 276 runs across seven innings at a strike rate of 119.48.

Supporting her will be Orla Prendergast, who is currently ranked 26th among batters and 7th among all-rounders in T20I cricket. Amy Hunter, ranked 29th, rounds out the top-tier batting threat for the Irish side, providing the team with a balanced and potent lineup.

Official Squads

Ireland Squad for Women’s T20 World Cup

Gaby Lewis (capt)
Orla Prendergast (vice-capt)
Ava Canning
Christina Coulter Reilly
Alana Dalzell
Laura Delany
Georgina Dempsey
Amy Hunter
Arlene Kelly
Louise Little
Aimee Maguire
Lara McBride
Cara Murray
Leah Paul
Rebecca Stokell

Ireland Squad for Tri-Series against Pakistan and West Indies

Orla Prendergast (capt)
Ava Canning
Christina Coulter Reilly
Alana Dalzell
Laura Delany
Georgina Dempsey
Amy Hunter
Arlene Kelly
Louise Little
Aimee Maguire
Lara McBride
Cara Murray
Leah Paul
Rebecca Stokell

As the countdown to the World Cup begins, all eyes will be on how the Irish squad adjusts to the intensity of global competition. With a blend of seasoned talent and returning players, the team remains hopeful of delivering a spirited performance in England.

Rafiq Hasan

Rafiq Hasan is the chief cricket correspondent for The Daily Star, Bangladesh's largest English-language newspaper. Over his two-decade career, he has chronicked the rise of Bangladesh cricket from perennial underdogs to a formidable force in world cricket. Hasan has covered every major ICC event featuring Bangladesh and reported from the press boxes of Lord's, the MCG, and Mirpur. He has a deep understanding of the country's cricket ecosystem—from the Dhaka Premier League rivalries to the politics of the BCB. Known for his balanced analysis and insider access to the dressing room, he wrote the widely acclaimed long-form series "Tigers' Roar: How Bangladesh Changed the Cricket Map." A graduate of the University of Dhaka, Hasan is also a respected voice on global cricket diplomacy, exploring how the sport affects the balance of power in South Asia.