In their last One-Day International (ODI) match in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Qualifiers, Bangladesh could only muster 178-9 thanks to another outstanding effort by Pakistan’s bowlers.
Thanks to their bowlers, who once again came through to defend a below-average score of 205 against Thailand on Thursday, Pakistan has already secured their place in the World Cup, which will take place in India later this year.
Bangladesh had a tough start to the event after losing their openers for low scores to spinner Sadia Iqbal and captain Fatima Sana of Pakistan, who both maintained their excellent ball-handling form.
After pitching, Fatima hit a ball that came in, and Fargana Hoque was caught for a seven-ball duck.
After losing Captain Nigar Sultana to another in-ducker by Fatima, Bangladesh was at one point 21-3.
The stalwarts of Bangladesh’s team were senior batsmen Ritu Moni and Fahima Khatun, who both scored over 40 runs to save the team from a dire scenario at one point in the innings.
With three wickets for 28 off her ten overs, Sadia Iqbal was the best bowler for the home team.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Bangladesh was able to reach a respectable score thanks to lost catches, so the Green Team didn’t have the greatest of days in the field.
In their fourth match in the qualifiers, Pakistan’s women’s team defeated Thailand by 87 runs on Thursday, led by captain Fatima Sana.
With senior batsman Sidra Amin providing support from the other end, she played a captain’s knock of 62 not out, earning her the title of player of the match. In the second innings, she helped bowl out Thailand for 118 runs by taking three more wickets.
“Our main aim was that we wanted to play in the World Cup — and the way our players were supporting each other, with our self-belief getting stronger after the camp, that really helped us achieve this win,” the Pakistan captain stated following the game.
The Gaddafi Stadium and LCCA ground in Lahore will host the six-team ICC event, which features a single-league round-robin format and comprises Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland, Thailand, and the West Indies in addition to hosts Pakistan.
The two qualifiers for the 2025 Women’s World Cup, which will take place in India later this year, will be determined by the competition.
However, as India declined to play their matches in Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year, a “fusion” format was chosen, and Pakistan would now play their matches at a neutral location.
Teams: Pakistan: Rameen Shamim, Diana Baig, Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sandhu, Fatima Sana (captain), Muneeba Ali, Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Sidra Nawaz (wicket-keeper), and Shawaal Zulfiqar.
Bangladesh: Ritu Moni, Nahida Akter, Fahima Khatun, Shorna Akter, Jannatul Ferdus, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Fargana Hoque, Dilara Akter (wicket-keeper), Sharmin Akhter, and Nigar Sultana (captain).
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