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"VAN" (Sports Desk - 18.04.2025) :: Pakistan confirmed their place at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 with an 87-run victory over Thailand at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Thursday.
Sidra Amin and Fatima Sana shone with the bat as the hosts made it four wins from four in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier.
In the other match of the day at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground, West Indies kept their hopes of qualifying alive with a three-wicket victory over Bangladesh, as Aaliyah Alleyne returned career-best figures with the ball before batter Chinelle Henry guided their side home with the bat in hand.
Sidra and Fatima guide Pakistan through
Pakistan opted to bat first but made a stuttering start, losing openers Shawaal Zulfiqar and Muneeba Ali to slip to 32 for two.
Aliya Riaz was then run out for seven as Pakistan stumbled to 47 for three but Sidra Amin anchored the innings with an impressive 80, forming a strong 97-run, five-wicket partnership with captain Fatima Sana, who came to the crease after Sidra Nawaz was run out for 11.
Fatima was unbeaten on 62 off just 59 balls and her busy knock pulled her side over the 200 mark as Pakistan set Thailand 206 to win.
Chanida Sutthiruang fell early in Thailand’s chase when the opener was stumped for five off Sadia Iqbal.
Nattaya Boochatham and Nannapat Koncharoenkai sought to rebuild but a steady fall of wickets consistently hampered their run chase.
Boochatham was caught behind for 16 off Fatima and Koncharoenkai was bowled two balls later by Rameen Shamim, departing for 19.
That left Thailand on 44 for three at the start of the 11th over, with the Pakistan attack continued to chip away.
Rameen struck again, bowling captain Naruemol Chaiwai out for 12 before Nashra Sandhu took the wickets of Natthakan Chantham (13) and Phannita Maya (9) to reduce Thailand to 81 for six in the 24th .
Fatima then bowled both Thipatcha Putthawong (10) and Suwanan Khiaoto (15) before Nashra and Rameen both picked up their third wickets of the match to bowl Thailand out for 118 and seal Pakistan’s place at the main event.
West Indies inflict first defeat on Bangladesh
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Bangladesh’s Fargana Hoque and Sharmin Akhter combined for a 118-run partnership for the second wicket to help their side reach 131 for one before Aaliyah Alleyne struck twice in an over.
The medium pacer had Fargana caught and bowled for 42 before she breached Sharmin’s defences two balls later to see the end of the batter on 67.
It proved a crucial breakthrough as Bangladesh struggled to get their innings back up and running, and Alleyne struck again to bowl in-form captain Nigar Sultana out for five.
Afy Fletcher joined in with the quick dismissals of Ritu Moni (15) and Shorna Akter (6) to reduce Bangladesh to 165 for six in the 37th over.
Nahida Akter and Rabeya Khan made valuable cameos of 25 and 23 respectively to see Bangladesh through to 227 for nine despite Hayley Matthews also chipping in with two late wickets.
In response, West Indies’ new opening partnership of Qiana Joseph and Zaida James share 26 runs before the latter was bowled out by Jannatul for nine in the sixth over.
Shemaine Campbelle picked up the mantle and combined with Joseph before the latter was dismissed for 31 by Rabeya.
Campbelle was then trapped leg before by Fahima, leaving West Indies 74 for three in the 17th over, but the experienced partnership of Stafanie Taylor and Hayley Matthews were able to rebuild.
The pair put on 63 runs together before Marufa Akter claimed the wicket of Matthews for 33.
Marufa dismissed Taylor on 36 just seven runs later but Henry’s unbeaten 51 from 48 balls powered her side to victory with four overs to spare.
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