From Qualifiers to World Stage: 5 Underdog Teams That Could Disrupt ICC Women's World Cup 2025
While traditional powerhouses dominate headlines, the road to ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 is witnessing a quiet revolution. Emerging teams from the T20 World Cup qualifiers are building momentum through strategic player development and competitive exposure. These underdogs could deliver major upsets when the ODI World Cup begins in Guwahati, where rain interruptions like the 47-over limit in the India-Sri Lanka opener already demonstrate tournament unpredictability. Here are five teams poised to shake up the established order:
1. Ireland: European Momentum Meets World Stage Ambition
Ireland's 2026 warm-up match against Zimbabwe demonstrates their active preparation cycle. Such fixtures provide crucial experience against diverse playing styles. Having participated in multiple global qualifiers, Ireland benefits from:
- Increased high-pressure tournament exposure
- Developing all-round capabilities through T20 formats
- Strategic European talent development pathways
Their consistent presence in qualifiers positions them as dangerous floaters capable of exploiting complacent opponents.
2. Zimbabwe: Africa's Rising Contenders
Zimbabwe's participation in preparatory matches like their Ireland encounter signals growing investment in women's cricket infrastructure. As African cricket gains visibility through extended broadcast deals like Sri Lanka's TV Supreme agreement (running until January 2028), Zimbabwe leverages:
- Regional rivalry with established South African team
- Exposure to subcontinental conditions during qualifiers
- Youth development programs feeding into senior squad
Their improving fielding standards and spin resources could prove vital in Indian conditions during the World Cup.
3. Bangladesh: Asia's Dark Horse
The Tigresses begin their T20 World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign against USA on January 18 in Nepal, part of a 10-team tournament offering four slots for the 2026 event. This serves as crucial preparation for their 2025 ODI World Cup ambitions. Bangladesh brings:
- Previous World Cup qualifying experience
- Familiarity with subcontinental pitches
- Growing domestic competition structure
Having narrowly missed direct qualification, their hunger could translate into impactful performances against higher-ranked teams.
4. Sri Lanka: Capitalizing on Home Continent Advantage
As hosts of the rain-affected opening World Cup match against India at Barsapara Stadium - where Amajot Kaur and Deepti Sharma's heroics rescued India after early wickets - Sri Lanka demonstrates organizational capability and playing pedigree. Their development is accelerated by:
- TV Supreme's extended ICC broadcast deal until 2028 enhancing local visibility
- Exposure to top teams through regular competition
- Improved handling of pressure situations
With home continent advantage and increasing sponsorship, Sri Lanka could replicate their men's team's historic giant-killing feats.
5. USA: Cricket's New Frontier
America's inclusion in the Nepal qualifiers signals ICC's investment in non-traditional markets. Despite being tournament newcomers, USA offers:
- Diverse player pool with global coaching influences
- Financial backing from cricket's commercial expansion
- Element of surprise with unconventional playing styles
Their January 18 clash against Bangladesh serves as litmus test for associate nations' growing competitiveness.
The Disruption Equation
These teams share three disruptive advantages heading into the 2025 World Cup:
- Qualifier Tempo: The high-stakes Nepal qualifier (January 18 - February 1) for the 2026 T20 World Cup creates battle-hardened squads accustomed to must-win scenarios that translate to ODI preparation.
- Development Leaps: Emerging teams now access better coaching, video analysis, and sports science previously reserved for elite nations.
- Tournament Format: The ODI World Cup's round-robin phase allows underdogs multiple opportunities to spring surprises.
Recent cricket history supports this potential. Australia's nervy 5-wicket Ashes victory in Sydney to secure a 4-1 series win in the 2025/26 edition shows even dominant teams can be pressured, with controversial decisions like Jake Weatherald's not-out call highlighting match volatility. Meanwhile, disciplinary actions like Nonkululeko Mlaba's reprimand during South Africa's league match against India prove ICC's equal scrutiny on all teams.
Player recognition pathways also signal changing dynamics. December 2025's Player of the Month nominees featured established stars like Shafali Verma alongside emerging talents, indicating the narrowing gap between cricket nations.
Conclusion: A New World Order?
The 2025 Women's Cricket World Cup may witness the most competitive field in history. With four qualifier spots available from Nepal's T20 World Cup 2026 qualifying tournament and increased investment in emerging nations, traditional powerhouses can no longer take victories for granted. As Ireland, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and USA demonstrate, the future of women's cricket belongs to those who seize their moment on the global stage - much like England must now reconsider their approach after a 4-1 Ashes defeat.
