Check out all the previous stats and AI predictive form guide for the second match: Ireland vs Papua New Guinea, to be played on January 18, 2026 at the Mulpani Cricket Ground.
Points table
Match details:
Date: Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Venue: Mulpani Cricket Ground.
Start time: 03:15 am GMT | 09:00 AM Local | 08:45 am Eastern Time.
Current form:
Ireland:
The Irish enjoyed a brilliant year in 2025, but came into this tournament after two defeats, but against a much stronger opponent in the World Cup finalist: South Africa.
It has been the Leah Paul and Orla Prendergast show for the Irish with bat in hand, while their bowling has been led by Arlene Kelly and Cara Murray.
Papua New Guinea:
Papua New Guinea’s results have been mixed: they have game time in November, having participated in the ICC Emerging Nations Trophy.
Naoani Vare and Brenda Tau are their main scorers and do most of the work with the bat, while their bowling has been led by Pauke Siaka and Isabel Toua.
Players to watch:
Ireland:
Orla Prendergast – with 379 runs in 11 innings at 47.37 and a strike rate of 126.33, scoring four fifties and having picked up 11 wickets at 21.72, Prendergast is among the leading all-rounders in associate cricket.
Read Paul – has scored 236 runs at an average of 29.5 and remains vital in providing quick runs for the Irish, with his strike rate of 131.84 and has taken six wickets at 6.83.
Arlene Kelly – the choice of Irish bowlers since early 2025, has picked up 13 wickets at an average of just 15.69 and has struck once every 14.2 balls.
Papua New Guinea:
Isabel Toua – forms a deadly bowling duo alongside Pauke Siaka, with Isabel Toua herself taking 25 wickets at 12.32 and striking once every 16.3 balls.
Naoani Vare – Vare, Papua New Guinea Women’s leading run-scorer, has amassed 422 runs at an average of 30.14, scoring two fifties since 2025.
Pauke Siaka – Siaka, the most successful Papua New Guinea bowler since the start of 2025, has taken 31 wickets at an incredible average of just 8.09.
Head to head (Last 5 matches):
These two teams have met only twice in their history; In the last decade, the Irish have won both matches against Papua New Guinea.
Venue Statistics – T20 – Mulpani Cricket Ground (2022-2026):
This T20I between Ireland and Papua New Guinea – ICC T20 World Cup Qualifiers will be the first women’s professional match to be held at the Mulpani Cricket Ground, so statistics are not currently available.
Squads:
Ireland:
Gaby Lewis (c), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Sarah Forbes, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Aimee Maguire, Jane Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast and Rebecca Stokell.
Papua New Guinea:
Brenda Tau (c), Pauke Siaka (vc), Melanie Ani, Hollan Doriga, Kevau Frank, Sibona Jimmy, Dika Lohia, Konio Oala, Miria Raio, Hane Tau, Henao Thomas, Geua Tom, Mairi Tom, Isabel Toua and Naoani Vare.
Match Prediction: Ireland Women v Papua New Guinea Women
Cricket Match Predictions – PrePlay
Who will win the draw? — Papua New Guinea
Who will win the match? — Ireland
Best Hitter (Runs Scored) — Gaby Lewis (Ireland), Naoani Vare (Papua New Guinea)
Best bowler (wickets taken) — Leah Paul (Ireland), Pauke Siaka (Papua New Guinea)
Most of the six — Orla Prendergast (Ireland), Konio Oala (Papua New Guinea)
Player of the match — Orla Prendergast (Ireland)
The team scores batting first — Ireland 130+, Papua New Guinea 100+
Live Cricket Streaming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier – The live cricket streaming page that allows you to watch live cricket – Geo restrictions apply
*NB: These predictions may change closer to kick-off once the final starting teams have been announced and we will be running ‘In Play’ features, so stay tuned.
Furthermore, the predictions and selections are formulated from statistics and information obtained and compiled from artificial intelligence and statistics experts. Always remember, when the fun stops…STOP
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