Women's World Cup Qualifier 2025, Warm-up wrap Day 1

The Qualifier hosts were in their element ahead of the six-team event, securing a comfortable seven-wicket win over Thailand. West Indies also matched up well against Ireland, winning the second warm-up fixture of the day by five wickets.

Here’s how the two warm-up games panned out in Lahore:

Pakistan dominate with spin

Pakistan v Thailand, warm-up scorecard

Hosts Pakistan made a strong early impression with a seven-wicket win over Thailand in the first warm-up fixture ahead of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier.

Being put in to bowl first, the Fatima Sana-led side were on top of Thailand from the get-go with the skipper striking with the new ball to remove opener Thipatcha Putthawong.

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Diana Baig then struck in quick succession from the other end, getting rid of Aphisara Suwanchonrathi and Thailand’s leading international run-scorer Natthakan Chantham.

The spinners gave little breathing space to Thailand, who are eyeing a maiden appearance in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.

While left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal snared the wicket of Nannapat Koncharoenkai, offie Rameen Shameem notched a brace to reduce the opposition to six down.

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Nashra Sandhu ran through the lower order with a sizzling four-wicket haul as Thailand were bundled out for 78.

In their chase, Pakistan openers Shawaal Zulfiqar and Gull Feroza got them to a quickfire start – blasting a total of eight boundaries between them – adding 51 runs for the first wicket before retiring out.

Thailand managed to nab a wicket with Suleeporn Laomi removing Muneeba Ali but Aliya Riaz and Sidra Amin managed to see the game through with seven wickets in hand.

West Indies overcome Irish challenge

Ireland v West Indies, warm-up scorecard

After Ireland skipper Gaby Lewis won the toss and elected to bat first, she laid a solid foundation for the European side along with Sarah Forbes. Lewis took the lead in run scoring before she was forced to retire hurt.

Lewis’ opposite number Hayley Matthews disrupted the momentum cleaning up Amy Hunter for six, to bring forth the first breakthrough. The West Indies capitalised on that opening, quickly removing Sarah Forbes and Orla Prendergast to leave Ireland at 90/3.

Laura Delany and Leah Paul then joined forces to steady the innings with a composed partnership. Paul looked in fine touch before she was dismissed for 46, caught and bowled by Matthews.

Delany anchored the innings well despite regular fall of wickets at the other end, finishing unbeaten on 67. A late flourish with Cara Murray (28) helped push Ireland to 248/8.

Hayley Matthews was the pick of the bowlers for the West Indies, finishing with figures of three for 62 from her 10 overs. Afy Fletcher and Karishma Ramharack chipped in with two wickets each, while Aaliyah Alleyne claimed one.

The West Indies got off to a strong start in their run chase, with openers Matthews (55) and Zaida James (47) stitching together a 90-run partnership.

Matthews led the way, bringing up a well-earned half-century. However, Cara Murray (3/73) provided the breakthrough for Ireland, enticing Matthews into giving a catch to Alana Dalzell.

Murray and Kia McCartney (1/32) then made it past the West Indies middle order before a dazzling cameo from Chinelle Henry (23 from nine balls) re-established the order. The experienced Stafanie Taylor (53*) and Shabika Gajnabi (25) stitched a crucial stand of 55 runs that helped West Indies get past the line.

The Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2025 kicks off on 9 April. The top two sides from the six-team event will eventually make it to the Women's Cricket World Cup later this year.