Ireland claimed a seven-wicket win over Thailand on the opening day of action at the ICC Women's World Twenty20 qualifying tournament in The Netherlands ©ICC/Twitter

Ireland claimed a seven-wicket win over Thailand on the opening day of action at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women's World Twenty20 qualifying tournament in The Netherlands.

After Thailand only managed 92-7 in their 20 overs at the Kampong Cricket Club in Utrecht, Ireland eased to 93-3 in 16.2 overs with Clare Shillington scoring 38.

Today’s other game in Group B saw Scotland record a nine-wicket victory over Uganda at the VRA Cricket Ground in Amstelveen.

Group A also got underway in Amstelveen with Bangladesh beating Papua New Guinea by eight wickets and tournament debutants United Arab Emirates registering a shock six-wicket triumph over hosts The Netherlands in Utrecht. 

Tournament debutants United Arab Emirates claimed a shock win over hosts The Netherlands ©ICC/Twitter
Tournament debutants United Arab Emirates claimed a shock win over hosts The Netherlands ©ICC/Twitter

Action is due to continue tomorrow with the Group B schedule made up of matches between Ireland and Scotland, and Uganda and Thailand.

Group A sees Bangladesh face The Netherlands and Papua New Guinea go up against UAE.

The top two teams in each group will progress to the semi-finals, with the winners of each match qualifying for the World Twenty20.

Both finalists from the tournament will join Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and host West Indies at the ICC Women's World Twenty20, due to be held in Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana and St Lucia from November 9 to 24.