Pakistan secured their spot in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 with an 87-run triumph over Thailand at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Thursday.
Sidra Amin and Fatima Sana excelled with the bat, leading the hosts to a perfect record of four wins in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier.
In another match held at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground, the West Indies kept their qualification hopes alive by defeating Bangladesh by three wickets. Aaliyah Alleyne achieved her career-best bowling figures, while batter Chinelle Henry played a crucial role in steering her team to victory.
Sidra and Fatima lead Pakistan's innings
Choosing to bat first, Pakistan had a shaky beginning, losing openers Shawaal Zulfiqar and Muneeba Ali, leaving them at 32 for two.
Aliya Riaz was run out for seven, putting Pakistan in a difficult position at 47 for three. However, Sidra Amin steadied the innings with a remarkable 80 runs, forming a solid 97-run partnership for the fifth wicket with captain Fatima Sana, who came in after Sidra Nawaz was run out for 11.
Fatima finished not out with 62 runs off just 59 balls, helping her team surpass the 200-run mark as Pakistan set a target of 206 for Thailand to chase.
Thailand's chase began poorly, with opener Chanida Sutthiruang being stumped for five runs off Sadia Iqbal.
Nattaya Boochatham and Nannapat Koncharoenkai aimed to mount a comeback, but a persistent loss of wickets hindered their pursuit of runs.
Boochatham was dismissed for 16, caught behind off Fatima, and Koncharoenkai followed shortly after, bowled by Rameen Shamim for 19.
This left Thailand at 44 for three at the beginning of the 11th over, as the Pakistani bowlers continued to make inroads.
Rameen claimed another wicket, bowling out captain Naruemol Chaiwai for 12, while Nashra Sandhu took the wickets of Natthakan Chantham (13) and Phannita Maya (9), reducing Thailand to 81 for six by the 24th over.
Fatima then dismissed both Thipatcha Putthawong (10) and Suwanan Khiaoto (15), and Nashra along with Rameen each secured their third wickets, ultimately bowling Thailand out for 118 and confirming Pakistan’s advancement to the main event.
West Indies Hand Bangladesh Their First Defeat
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Bangladesh’s Fargana Hoque and Sharmin Akhter formed a solid partnership of 118 runs for the second wicket, propelling their team to 131 for one before Aaliyah Alleyne made a significant impact by taking two wickets in one over.
The medium pacer had Fargana caught and bowled for 42, and shortly after, she bowled Sharmin, who scored 67.
This pivotal breakthrough disrupted Bangladesh's momentum, and Alleyne struck again, dismissing the in-form captain Nigar Sultana for just five runs.
Afy Fletcher contributed to the swift dismissals of Ritu Moni (15) and Shorna Akter (6), leaving Bangladesh at 165 for six in the 37th over.
Nahida Akter and Rabeya Khan provided crucial contributions of 25 and 23 runs, respectively, helping Bangladesh reach a total of 227 for nine, despite Hayley Matthews taking two wickets in the final overs.
In reply, the West Indies' new opening duo of Qiana Joseph and Zaida James added 26 runs before Jannatul bowled out James for nine in the sixth over.
Shemaine Campbelle took charge and partnered with Joseph until Rabeya dismissed Joseph for 31.
Campbelle was then trapped leg before wicket by Fahima, leaving the West Indies at 74 for three in the 17th over. However, the seasoned partnership of Stafanie Taylor and Hayley Matthews steadied the innings.
The two added 63 runs together before Marufa Akter took the wicket of Matthews for 33.
Marufa then dismissed Taylor for 36 just seven runs later, but Henry's unbeaten 51 off 48 balls led her team to victory with four overs remaining.
Match Summaries:
Bangladesh vs. West Indies – Lahore City Cricket Association Ground, Lahore
Bangladesh posted a total of 227 runs for 9 wickets in their allotted 50 overs, with Sharmin Akhter scoring 67 and Fargana Hoque contributing 42. Aaliyah Alleyne was the standout bowler for the West Indies, taking 4 wickets for 39 runs, while Hayley Matthews added 2 for 42.
In response, the West Indies chased down the target, finishing at 228 runs for 7 wickets in 46 overs. Chinelle Henry led the batting with 51 runs, and Stafanie Taylor supported with 36. Marufa Akter took 2 wickets for 38 runs, and Ritu Moni had impressive figures of 1 for 14.
Outcome: West Indies won by three wickets.
Pakistan vs. Thailand – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Pakistan scored 205 runs for 6 wickets in their 50 overs, with Sidra Amin making a notable 80 and Fatima Sana adding 62. Thipatcha Putthawong was the best bowler for Thailand, claiming 2 wickets for 37 runs, while Phannita Maya took 1 for 19.
Thailand was bowled out for 118 runs in 34.4 overs, with Nannapat Koncharoenkai top-scoring with 19 and Nattaya Boochatham contributing 16. Rameen Shamim excelled with the ball, taking 3 wickets for just 18 runs, and Nashra Sandhu also took 3 wickets, conceding 19 runs.
Outcome: Pakistan won by 87 runs.
