Fiji’s women’s cricket team opened their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup East Asia–Pacific Qualifier campaign in Suva with a commanding nine-wicket victory over the Cook Islands at Albert Park.
Cook Islands posted 114 for six in their 20 overs, with Ilisapeci Waqavakatoga leading Fiji’s bowling with two wickets for 10 runs, supported by key strikes from Mele Waqanisau, Jasvil Rokoro, and Serafina Tubakibau. Chasing a modest total, Fiji cruised to 115 for 1 in 17.2 overs, with captain Semaema Lomani anchoring the innings on 43 off 49 balls and Sulia Vuni delivering a classy 44 off 44 to earn the Player of the Match honors. Finishing touches came from Silivia Kijiana, unbeaten on 15 off 12, as Fiji sealed the win with 16 balls to spare.
The eight-nation tournament is split into two groups, with Group B including Fiji alongside Cook Islands, Indonesia, and Vanuatu. Fiji’s final group-stage fixture will pit them against Vanuatu on Friday, and only the tournament winner will advance to the Global Qualifier for a shot at reaching the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
In other results from the day, Vanuatu defeated Indonesia by seven runs, Samoa hammered the Philippines by nine wickets, and Papua New Guinea beat Japan by 45 runs.
What it means for Fiji: a strong, homegrown start sets a confident tone for the campaign as they chase a place in the global qualifiers. Lomani’s leadership, Vuni’s all-round contribution, and Kijiana’s finishing ability give Fiji a solid platform to build on as the field tightens in Suva.
Key players to watch as the qualifiers progress:
– Semaema Lomani (Fiji) for leadership and steady run-scoring
– Sulia Vuni (Fiji) for consistent contributions with bat and calm presence
– Ilisapeci Waqavakatoga (Fiji) for all-round impact in bowling and on-field leadership
– Silivia Kijiana (Fiji) for finishing runs and in-field presence
Additional notes and context:
– Hosting the qualifier in Suva marks a milestone for Fiji’s women’s cricket program, underscoring the region’s growing investment in the sport and opportunities for local players to compete at a high level on home soil.
– The path to the 2026 Women’s World Cup depends on winning this East Asia–Pacific Qualifier, making each group game crucial for Fiji and their rivals.
Overall, Fiji’s opening win provides early momentum and a positive outlook as the team looks to translate home support into continued success in the qualifiers.
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