The much-anticipated Ireland Women’s T20I Tri-Series 2026 officially gets underway on Thursday, bringing together Ireland, Pakistan, and the West Indies in a crucial tournament ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England next month. With all three teams eager to fine-tune combinations and build momentum, the six-match series promises exciting contests in Dublin.
Unlike traditional multi-team tournaments, the tri-series will follow a double round-robin format without a final. The team finishing at the top of the points table after six matches will be crowned champions, making every game extremely important.
Ireland begin a new chapter without Gaby Lewis
Hosts Ireland enter the tournament amid a major transition after regular captain and star opener Gaby Lewis was ruled out due to injury. In her absence, talented all-rounder Orla Prendergast will lead the side during the competition.
Ireland will be hoping to build on their impressive T20I performances from last season, especially after defeating Pakistan 2-1 in a home series in Dublin. Young wicketkeeper-batter Amy Hunter will carry added responsibility at the top of the order, while the bowling unit will aim to make full use of familiar home conditions at Castle Avenue. The Irish side sees this tournament as a golden opportunity to test their squad depth before heading into the global event in England.
Pakistan arrive with confidence after dominant Zimbabwe series
Pakistan Women, led by the energetic Fatima Sana, head into the tri-series with strong confidence following a highly successful home series against Zimbabwe, where they completed a 6-0 clean sweep across formats. Historically, Pakistan have enjoyed success against Ireland in T20 internationals, holding a commanding 16-6 record in the rivalry. Opener Muneeba Ali is expected to play a key role with the bat, while Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack could prove decisive in pressure situations.
The team management will also use the series to finalise combinations and identify players capable of thriving in English conditions during the upcoming T20 World Cup.
West Indies eye another strong campaign
The West Indies Women’s squad had not been officially announced at the time of writing, but the Caribbean side is expected to feature several experienced stars. World-class all-rounder Hayley Matthews is likely to captain the side, while explosive batter Deandra Dottin and veteran campaigner Stafanie Taylor could also be part of the squad.
The 2016 Women’s T20 World Cup champions remain one of the most dangerous T20 teams in world cricket due to their fearless batting and match-winning all-rounders. The tri-series will offer them valuable game time before the marquee ICC tournament begins.
Ireland Women’s T20I Tri-Series 2026: Complete schedule
| Date | Match Details | Timings (IST / GMT / Local) |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, May 28, 2026 | Ireland Women vs Pakistan Women, 1st Match, Castle Avenue, Dublin | 8:30 PM IST / 3:00 PM GMT / 4:00 PM Local |
| Friday, May 29, 2026 | Pakistan Women vs West Indies Women, 2nd Match, Castle Avenue, Dublin | 8:30 PM IST / 3:00 PM GMT / 4:00 PM Local |
| Sunday, May 31, 2026 | Ireland Women vs Pakistan Women, 3rd Match, Castle Avenue, Dublin | 8:30 PM IST / 3:00 PM GMT / 4:00 PM Local |
| Monday, June 1, 2026 | Ireland Women vs West Indies Women, 4th Match, Castle Avenue, Dublin | 8:30 PM IST / 3:00 PM GMT / 4:00 PM Local |
| Wednesday, June 3, 2026 | Pakistan Women vs West Indies Women, 5th Match, Castle Avenue, Dublin | 8:30 PM IST / 3:00 PM GMT / 4:00 PM Local |
| Thursday, June 4, 2026 | Ireland Women vs Pakistan Women, 6th Match, Castle Avenue, Dublin | 8:30 PM IST / 3:00 PM GMT / 4:00 PM Local |
Broadcast and Live Streaming details
- Ireland: Prime Video
- India: FanCode (OTT)
- United Kingdom: Prime Video
- Rest of the World: Cricket Ireland YouTube channel
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
