Pakistan and West Indies secure closely-fought win

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Pakistan made it two wins from two in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier, while West Indies got off the mark in rain-affected matches in Lahore.

West Indies captain Hayley Matthews took another four-wicket haul to help her side beat Ireland while Pakistan beat Scotland despite Kathryn Bryce’s 91.

Matthews makes her mark with the ball to edge Windies past Ireland

Hayley Matthews' second four-wicket haul in as many matches helped West Indies edge past Ireland by six runs in a game shortened to 33 overs a side due to rain.

After winning the toss and asking the Windies to bat, Ireland took two early wickets in the form of opening day centurion Matthews (23) and Qiana Joseph (4) to leave the score 29 for two inside six overs.

West Indies rebuilt their innings thanks to Zaida James (36) and Stafanie Taylor with the pair putting on 87 for the third wicket.

Maguire’s return to the attack saw her take two wickets in three balls during the 24th over however, adding to her earlier dismissal of Joseph, to swing momentum back in her side’s favour.

Taylor was first to go after she picked out Cara Murray for a well-crafted 46 which featured five boundaries, before James followed suit shortly after when Maguire breached her defences.

Chinelle Henry’s unbeaten knock of 46, which included two fours and one six propelled the Windies to 181 for six after two late wickets fell.

In response, Ireland put on 57 for the first wicket as they made inroads into their 182-run target, however, regular wickets punctuated the innings after captain Gaby Lewis fell for 17 to hand Matthews the first of her four wickets.

Amy Hunter top scored with 48 and helped her side through the first half of the chase. After she departed with the score 75 for three, the Windies’ Aaliyah Alleyne picked up the crucial scalps of set batters Laura Delany (32) and Christina Coulter Reilly (26) to leave Ireland needing contributions from the lower order.

Arlene Kelly played a cool hand at the end but was the last batter out for 18 with Ireland just seven runs from victory.

Pakistan chase down challenging target

Pakistan came out on top against Scotland in in their own close match after Muneeba Ali’s 71 helped the competition’s hosts chase a target of 187 in a match reduced to 32 aside due to rain.

With Pakistan captain Fatima Sana winning the toss and choosing to field, her side got off to a flying start when they reduced Scotland to 17 for two after Diana Baig and Sadia Iqbal removed openers Abbi Aitken-Drummond (1) and Pippa Sproul (9) respectively.

The Bryce sisters put on 51 runs for the third wicket but regular wickets fell throughout the Scottish innings as Sarah Bryce was dismissed for 21 by Nashra Sandhu before Ailsa Lister’s quickfire 31 was ended by Sadia.

Kathryn Bryce was the linchpin of her side’s batting efforts, hitting an important 91 from 96 deliveries, which featured 10 fours and a six. She was Fatima’s fourth wicket of the match in the last over which also saw two other wickets fall - Priyanaz Chatterji bowled by the Pakistan skipper and Chloe Abel run out - as Scotland posted 186 for nine.

In reply, Pakistan lost Gull Feroza (2) and Sidra Amin (7) early to give Scotland hopes of defending their score, but Muneeba’s 71 and Aliya Riaz’s 68 wrestled back control for the hosts as the duo put on 95.

Muneeba became Abel’s second scalp leaving the score on 129 for three and when Fatima was removed by Rachel Slater for seven, a tense finish was in the offing.

Aliya kept her composure to remain unbeaten and, alongside Sidra Nawaz, guided Pakistan home with eight balls to spare for their second win of the tournament.

Scores in brief

West Indies v Ireland - Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

West Indies 181/6 in 33 overs (Chinelle Henry 46 not out, Stafanie Taylor 46; Jane Maguire 3/35)

Ireland 175 all out in 32.2 overs (Amy Hunter 48, Laura Delany 32; Hayley Matthews 4/24)

Result: West Indies win by 6 runs

Scotland v Pakistan - Lahore City Cricket Association Ground, Lahore

Scotland 186/9 in 32.0 overs (Kathryn Bryce 91, Ailsa Lister 31; Fatima Sana 4/23)

Pakistan 190/4 in 30.4 overs (Muneeba Ali 71, Aliya Riaz 68*; Chloe Abel 2/42)

Result: Pakistan win by six wickets

About the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier

The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier is the final step in the qualification pathway to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.

The sixth edition of the Qualifier is hosted by Pakistan where matches will be played at Gaddafi Stadium and Lahore City Cricket Association.

Fans will see teams from four Full Members – Bangladesh, Ireland, Pakistan and the West Indies – compete with Associate Members Scotland and Thailand in the 15-match league tournament that will decide the two qualifiers for the main event in India later this year.

Day matches will begin at 09h30 and day/night matches at 14h00 local time.