Ireland Women vs New Zealand Women Live Score, Match 13 of ICC Women's T20 World Cup, 2026

That's a wrap - A very competitive game of cricket where Ireland nearly pulled off a historic win, but it wasn't to be for them. They are virtually out of the tournament, whereas New Zealand, with their first win, keep their title defence alive, but still hanging by a thread. Up next, it's a triple header day on Saturday, 20th June. It all starts with Australia taking on the Netherlands, followed by Pakistan Women going up against Bangladesh Women. Both games will be played at Southampton. The caravan will then roll into Headingley as England Women will face Scotland Women. The first ball of the first match will be bowled at 9.30 am GMT, followed by non-stop cricketing action. Do make sure to join early for the buildup. Until then, cheers!

The captain of New Zealand Women - Amelia Kerr admits it has been a disappointing start but says today was about turning up with the right attitude and body language. She says the past cannot be changed, but reminds herself and the group that representing the country on a world stage is a big deal and that there is still plenty to play for. On the knockout chances, she says the mathematical opportunity is still there and points to how this tournament has shown that anyone can beat anyone, singling out Ireland and Scotland for the brilliant impression they have made in their first World Cups. On Bates, Kerr says she thrives in big moments, recalling what she did against Sri Lanka in the last tournament. She says Bates puts in the hard yards in training, working specifically on her death-overs bowling, and while the last two games did not go her way, Kerr says everyone in the group knows how good she can be and that it is a real privilege to have her in the side.

The captain of Ireland Women - Gaby Lewis, on her immediate reaction, says it is hard to reflect right away with so many emotions running high. She says Ireland wanted that first win badly and it slipped through their fingers, and that she might be better placed to reflect on it later. When asked about the preparation for the Kiwi batters, she credits the analysts and coaches for doing a tremendous job breaking down the different players and helping the side prepare thoroughly. On restricting New Zealand to 140, Lewis says the reigning champions are that for a reason, but Ireland felt they were very much in the game after keeping them to that total. On being asked about her partnership with Orla Prendergast, she says the two of them love batting together and run well between the wickets. She is clearly gutted, saying both of them feel they should have got Ireland over the line and that losing wickets at crucial moments was the difference. When asked to reflect on the tournament as a whole, Lewis mentions that Ireland have improved with each game and that is something the group takes real pride in. She reminds that it is a very young side and says getting better every game is exactly what they are building towards.

... Time to hear it from the two captains ...

The Kiwis couldn't fly, quite literally - Ireland's bowlers set the tone from the very first over and never truly let New Zealand settle. Maguire and Prendergast ran through the top order in the powerplay, leaving the White Ferns gasping at 31 for 3. Kerr, as she so often does, took it upon herself to rebuild, but fell for 30 just as the innings looked to be finding its feet, leaving New Zealand in a precarious position at 48 for 4. Sharp and Halliday fought hard in the middle overs and steadied the sinking ship with a pivotal 62-run stand to drag the innings back from the brink. Ireland admirably plugged the boundary flow towards the backend, and in order to up the ante, the Kiwis lost both set batters in the span of two overs. Bates, walking in at number seven in T20Is for the first time, gave the death overs a much-needed spark, but New Zealand could only muster 140, a total that felt well short.

Amelia clutch Kerr - A lot went wrong for New Zealand with the ball before a slice of luck turned it their way. Bree Illing provided an early breakthrough with the wicket of Amy Hunter, but after that the Kiwis were starved of wickets and leaked far too many loose deliveries. The fielding demons crept back in too, most notably when Orla Prendergast was put down on 10, a moment that could have changed the game entirely. Ground fielding errors kept piling up, and with Ireland needing just 29 from 18 balls, New Zealand looked dead and buried. Then came Amelia Kerr back into the attack, wicketless in this World Cup until that moment. Bowling her final over, she delivered exactly when it mattered most, removing the dangerous Orla Prendergast and then Stokell in the same over. Ireland never recovered from that double blow and ultimately left too much on the plate. But with Gaby still out there, there was a belief of getting the job done, but her perishing in the penultimate over was the final nail in the coffin for Ireland.

So close, yet so far - That's exactly how the Irish side would be feeling right now. They did so many things right in this match. They bowled well according to their plans and executed them with near-perfection. In the chase too, they almost handed a shock to the Kiwis. Ireland's batting had been their biggest weakness coming into this game, but Orla Prendergast and Gaby Lewis dug in deep and showed plenty of grit. They did not score quickly, perhaps a conscious decision to shield a batting unit that has looked vulnerable throughout the tournament. It was a stark contrast to New Zealand, whose batters threw their wickets away early and never quite recovered from the slide. Gaby and Orla batted beautifully together, threading their way to a 110-run stand without taking unnecessary risks. While Prendergast was the aggressor, Lewis complimented her by anchoring as both got off to their well-paced half-centuries. But when it looked like the game was in their kitty, and the moment came to go for the kill, Ireland simply could not find the next gear.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Amelia Kerr wins the award for her responsible bowling and batting display. She picked up two crucial wickets towards the backend, which ultimately proved to be the turning point of the match. She also scored a crucial 30 (24) to bail her team out of trouble. On the tournament so far, Kerr says it has been a rollercoaster of emotions after not starting the World Cup the way they would have wanted. She says Ireland challenged them hard today but is glad the side came out on top. On her knock, she says runs win games and admits she got out at a bad time, feeling she could have kicked on and helped New Zealand post a bigger total. On her bowling role, Kerr says it is always a balancing act and that she typically comes on after the Powerplay. She credits the depth in the bowling attack, pointing to Bree Illing bowling four overs on the trot, which allowed her to hold herself back and come on at the right moment.

The Kiwis hold their nerve - Over - 19.6 - first innings. Suzie Bates was facing the final ball which she struck for a six. And that indeed made the difference as that maximum has kept New Zealand well and truly alive in this World Cup. The game of margins they say. New Zealand have survived a scare and they can breathe for now. But credit to the Irish team as they played a solid brand of cricket from start to finish. Just that they could not land the knockout blow. They pushed the Kiwis to deep waters and had them anxious for most part of the run chase. But sadly, it wasn't to be for them.

Short and on off, Louise Little drills it down to long on for a single. New Zealand Women beat Ireland Women by 4 runs. Heartbreak for Ireland, elation for the White Ferns, who just didn't give up till the end and have ended up on the right side. And for the zillionth time, Bates has rescued her side out of deep trouble. First with a crucial cameo with the bat, and now defending with the ball. And one can clearly spot the sense of relief on Amelia Kerr's face because they were in all sorts of misery, with their title defence on the line. For Ireland, it's a tough one to take after coming so close.

Flatter, outside off, Louise Little chips it over wide of mid off. The fielder dives to her right to take the catch but the ball lands just short. It rolls in the deep as the batters collect two runs. 6 needed off the final ball now.

Tossed up, on off, Leah Paul pulls it over square leg for a single.

Two again! Short and on middle, Leah Paul pulls it through square leg for a couple again. 9 runs needed from 3 balls now.

Two more! Flatter, on off, Leah Paul sweeps it through mid-wicket for two more.

Drops it short and on leg, Leah Paul tucks it through mid-wicket for a brace. Excellent running between the wickets.

Righto, last over coming up. Ireland Women still require 15 runs to win. And surprise, surprise. It's the veteran, Suzie Bates, who will be bowling the final over.

Nice and full, slower one on off, Louise Little lofts it down the ground, wide of long on for a brace.

Hard length, outside off, Leah Paul looks to scoop it but miscues it to the off side for a single.

Smiles are back in the Kiwi camp as 116/1 becomes 123/4 for Ireland. And all of a sudden, they are on the back foot. This is a solid fightback from the White Ferns. Leah Paul is in at number 6.

OUT! TAKEN! Another one bites the dust. That's a brilliant catch from Suzie Bates. Hard length and outside off, slower too. Gaby Lewis steps out and looks to flick it but gets a leading edge. The ball lobs towards cover. Suzie Bates runs forward from mid off and takes a brilliant catch. She loses her balance but manages to keep the ball in her hands. She gets up and punches in the air. The White Ferns can believe now. Gaby Lewis cannot get the job done for her side as Ireland Women still need 18 runs from 8 balls now.

Wide! Down the leg side, Gaby Lewis looks to sweep it but misses. Wide called.

FOUR! Another twist in the tale! Rosemary Mair serves it full, and on middle, Gaby Lewis moves to her off side and sweeps it through fine leg for a boundary.

Full and down leg, Louise Little looks to flick it but the ball hits his pads and rolls in front. They collect a quick leg bye.

Full, on off, Gaby Lewis knocks it to mid on for a single.

That was a clutch over from captain Kerr. Just what the doctor ordered for the Kiwis. It has just gotten a lot nervy now for Ireland. They still need 25 from 12 balls. Louise Little is in at number 5.

OUT! TAKEN! Amelia Kerr gets another wicket. A massive moment in the game. Tossed up, on off, with a hint of turn. Rebecca Stokell moves forward and tries to loft it over mid off. She doesn't connect well as the ball lobs straight in the hands of Jess Kerr at mid off, who makes no mistake. 25 runs needed from the final 2 overs now.

Quicker, outside off, Rebecca Stokell looks to sweep it but wears it on her pads. An appeal but turned down. The impact was outside off.

Huge moment in the game as Amelia Kerr breaks the 110-run partnership at a very crucial time. Rebecca Stokell is in at number 4.

OUT! TAKEN! Maddy Green with a simple catch at deep mid-wicket and New Zealand Women are back in the game. Amelia Kerr drops it short and on off, Orla Prendergast moves forward and slogs it but doesn't get the elevation on it. The ball goes towards deep mid-wicket. Maddy Green runs forward and takes a good catch near her head.

Just short! Flatter, on off, Orla Prendergast steps out and chips it over mid on. Georgia Plimmer runs forward from long on and dives but the ball lands just short. She manages to make a good stop. Two more for Ireland Women.