Lahore: Pakistan secured a dominant 65-run victory over the West Indies in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier at the Gaddafi Stadium on Monday, marking their third win of the tournament and putting them in a strong position to qualify for the 2025 Women’s World Cup in India.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Pakistan faced early pressure as opener Gull Feroza fell cheaply for just 2 runs. However, a solid partnership between Muneeba Ali and Sidra Amin helped steady the innings. Muneeba played a patient knock of 33 off 60 deliveries, while Sidra Amin stood out with a composed 54 off 94 balls, which included four boundaries.
Sidra’s innings became the backbone of Pakistan’s total, as she built crucial partnerships with Aliya Riaz (18) and Omaima Sohail (20) in the middle overs. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Pakistan managed to post a competitive total of 191 runs before being bowled out in the final over of their innings.
For the West Indies, the bowling attack showed discipline, with Hayley Matthews, Afy Fletcher, and Karishma Ramharack picking up two wickets each. However, lapses in fielding and a lack of breakthroughs in key moments allowed Pakistan to recover from a shaky start.
Chasing 192 for victory, the West Indies faltered early and never managed to recover. Their top-order collapse left them reeling at 29 for 3 within the first 10 overs. Pakistan’s pace spearhead Fatima Sana provided the breakthrough by trapping West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews LBW for a low score. The pressure mounted when Zaida James and Shemaine Campbelle were run out due to sharp fielding and miscommunication between the wickets.
The West Indies’ batters struggled to build partnerships as wickets continued to tumble. Aaliyah Alleyne was the top scorer with a valiant 22 off 52 balls, but no other player managed to cross the 20-run mark. Pakistan’s bowlers kept their lines tight and fielded brilliantly, not allowing any room for a West Indian fightback.
Fatima Sana starred with the ball, finishing with outstanding figures of 3 for 16 in 7 overs. Spinner Nashra Sandhu and Rameen Shamim supported well, picking up two wickets each to wrap up the West Indies innings for just 126 runs in 39.2 overs.
The result puts Pakistan in a commanding position in the round-robin stage, having already notched three wins. Meanwhile, the defeat spells trouble for the West Indies, who have now lost two of their matches, leaving their qualification hopes hanging in the balance with only two games remaining.
The ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier is being hosted in Lahore at the Gaddafi Stadium and the LCCA Ground. Six teams — Pakistan, West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland, and Thailand — are competing in the event, with the top two teams earning a spot in the 2025 Women’s World Cup in India.
With Pakistan in red-hot form and standout performances from Sidra Amin and Fatima Sana, they are quickly emerging as one of the favorites to qualify.
