Lahore (Sports Report): Pakistan maintained their unbeaten record in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier with a comprehensive, 65-run victory over the West Indies.
The hosts made it three wins from three matches to go top of the standings, as captain Fatima Sana starred with the ball to power her side to victory at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
The result puts Pakistan in pole position to qualify for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 alongside Bangladesh, as the two remaining unbeaten sides in the qualifier.
Matthews and Fletcher restrict Pakistan batters
Pakistan elected to bat but Hayley Matthews struck early to remove Gull Feroza for two in the fourth over, leaving the hosts six for one.
Muneeba Ali and Sidra Amin built a strong foundation for the innings, combining to bring up Pakistan’s half century before Muneeba was trapped leg before for 33 by Afy Fletcher.
The West Indies continued to chip away at regular intervals, as Aliya Riaz and Omaima Sohail fell for 20 and 16 respectively, and Sidra brought up her half century before she was bowled out by Ashmini Munisar for 54.
Sidra Nawaz chipped in with 23 useful runs but two wickets apiece for Matthews, Karishma Ramharack and Afy Fletcher helped the West Indies dismiss Pakistan for 191, the final wicket falling from the penultimate ball of innings’ last over.
Pakistan made the perfect start with the ball, as Fatima dismissed fellow skipper Matthews leg before wicket with the first ball of the innings.
Shemaine Campbelle immediately sought to get the West Indies’ innings up and running and was beginning to find boundaries when she was run out for 14 to leave her side 15 for two.
Opener Zaida James was also run out for four as the West Indies slipped to 29 for three.
Jannillea Glasgow and Chinelle Henry looked to rebuild and brought their side over the half century mark before both fell in the same over to Nashra Sandhu.
Stafanie Taylor and Shabika Gajnabi picked up the mantle as the West Indies sought to resurrect their run chase, but Taylor was caught by Muneeba off the bowling of Rameen Shamim for 17 to bring a promising partnership to an end.
Gajnabi’s 21 dragged her side towards three figures but was bowled by Fatima to leave her side requiring 95 runs with three wickets in hand.
That proved too much for the West Indies’ tail, despite a valiant 22 from Aaliyah Alleyne, as they were bowled out for 126, Fatima leading the way with three for 16.
Scores in brief
Pakistan v West Indies – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Result: Pakistan win by 65 runs
Pakistan 191 all out in 49.5 overs (Sidra Amin 54, Muneeba Ali 33; Matthews 2/30, Afy Fletcher 2/39)
West Indies 126 all out in 39.2 overs (Aaliyah Alleyne 22, Shakiba Gajnabi 21; Fatima 3/16, Rameen 2/26)
