Pakistan and Scotland claim opening wins despite Matthews brilliance 

Hosts Pakistan got their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier campaign off to a winning start as they defeated Ireland.

In the opening day’s other match, Scotland pulled off a famous win despite the best efforts of West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews.

Matthews century in vain as Scotland triumph

Scotland earned an 11-run victory over the West Indies in their opener despite four wickets and an unbeaten century for Hayley Matthews, to get their pursuit of a maiden Women's Cricket World Cup appearance off to a flyer.

Scotland’s innings got off to a confident start as openers Abbi Aitken-Drummond and Darcey Carter put on 48 having been put into bat.

Aitken-Drummond was the first wicket to fall before Carter and Kathryn Bryce departed to leave Scotland at 69 for three in the 16th over, with Matthews taking all three wickets.

Wicket-keeper Sarah Bryce provided the resistance for Scotland as she top-scored with 55 off 56 balls before becoming Matthews’ last victim as the Windies skipper returned figures of four for 56.

Chinelle Henry affected two runouts either side of Bryce’s dismissal as Scotland slipped to 194 for six before they lost wickets at regular intervals to post 244 all out in the 45th over.

In response, Matthews unsurprisingly led the way and was supported early on by Zaida James, who made 45 before being dismissed to leave the Windies at 120 for two.

Scotland made steady inroads without being able to get the prized wicket of Matthews before the captain had to retire hurt on 95.

Katherine Fraser then bowled namesake Cherry-Ann Fraser for a duck to see the Windies slip to 194 for seven.

With the game on a knife-edge, Matthews came back out to partner Aaliyah Alleyne, reaching her century before being left stranded on 114 not out as Alleyne was trapped in front by Abtaha Maqsood for 17 with the West Indies 12 runs away from completing their chase.

Hosts Pakistan deny Ireland

Pakistan's steady wicket-taking powered them to a 38-run win over Ireland to get their qualifying campaign up and running.

Having been put into bat, Pakistan had to rally after Gull Feroza was caught behind on four.

Muneeba Ali and Sidra Amin put together a decent partnership, with Amin kicking on to a half-century before she was dismissed for 51 from 112 balls.

Aliya Riaz top-scored with 52 at a much quicker pace, bringing up her half-century in 54 balls to add impetus to the hosts’ innings.

Her dismissal saw Ireland begin to apply the squeeze as Pakistan lost their final five wickets for 23 and were dismissed for 217, Jane Maguire picking up three for 33.

Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter led the chase for Ireland, both compiling 44 runs as they shared a second-wicket partnership of 69.

Orla Prendergast then took over the scoring as she made 37 before Ireland wobbled to sit at 178 for nine with Diana Baig taking four wickets.

With Ireland’s chances growing slimmer, Pakistan completed the victory with the run out of Cara Murray.

Scores in brief

Scotland v West Indies – Lahore City Cricket Association Ground, Lahore

Scotland 244 all out in 45.0 overs (Sarah Bryce 55, Megan McColl 45; Hayley Matthews 4/56, Aaliyah Alleyne 2/31)

West Indies 233 all out in 46.2 overs (Hayley Matthews 114 not out, Zaida James 45; Katherin Fraser 3/50, Chloe Abel 2/31)

Result: Scotland win by 11 runs

Pakistan v Ireland – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Pakistan 217 all out in 49.0 overs (Aliya Riaz 52, Sidra Amin 51; Jane Maguire 3/33, Arlene Kelly 2/34)

Ireland 179 all out in 44.0 overs (Amy Hunter 44, Gaby Lewis 44; Diana Baig 4/35, Nashra Sandhu 3/41)

Result: Pakistan win by 38 runs