The Papua New Guinea Lewas quest for a spot in the T20 World Cup hit a hurdle on Sunday as they fell to a 41-run defeat against a clinical Ireland side.
Competing in Match 4 of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2026, the Lewas struggled to keep pace with the Irish scoring rate at the Mulpani Cricket Ground. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Ireland posted a competitive 146 for 6, driven by a balanced performance across their batting order.
Chasing a target of 147, the Lewas’ batting lineup found it difficult to find the boundary against a disciplined Irish attack. Despite batting out their full 20 overs, PNG finished on 105 for 6.
While the defeat is a setback for their immediate standings, the Lewas camp viewed the clash as a vital benchmark for the team’s development.
“The match provided valuable experience for the Lewas against quality opposition as they continue their campaign in the Global Qualifiers,” the team noted in a post-match statement.
The Lewas remain in the hunt for qualification but will need to sharpen their execution in the middle overs to stay competitive against the tournament’s top-seeded teams. The leadership group emphasized that the focus remains on building consistency and executing key moments as the pressure of the group stages intensifies.
The PNG Lewas will now refocus on their upcoming fixtures, where wins are becoming increasingly essential to keep their dreams of a global stage appearance alive.