Pak breeze past Scotland, WI beat Ireland
Pakistan rose to the top of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier tally with their second win on a trot as they edged Scotland in key clash here on Friday.
Chasing 187, the hosts closed the game with six wickets in hand, and have four points from two outings at the tournament.
Muneeba Ali (71) and Aliya Riaz (64) scored impressive half-centuries to seize a rain-affected game at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground.
Earlier, having won the toss, Pakistan elected to field first after rain had reduced the contest to 32 overs a side.
The hosts got off to a strong start with Sadia Iqbal and Diana Baig removing both the Scotland openers in quick succession in the powerplay.
Skipper Katherine Bryce then went on to construct a gritty knock of 91 runs off 96 deliveries, including 10 fours and a maximum.
Ailsa Lister (31) and Sarah Bruce (21) provided vital support before succumbing as Scotland got to 123/4 from 22.1 overs.
Four wickets down, Scotland were unable to make the most of the platform laid as Pakistan's bowling attack tightened the screws. Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana led the charge, nabbing a four-wicket haul as Scotland were restricted for 182/9.
In another match on Friday, West Indies held their nerve to beat Ireland in a thriller. Skipper Hayley Matthews led from the front, snapping four wickets.
Defending a target of 182, the Windies bowlers kept calm in a nervy affair to close out the game in the final over of a rain-shortened contest.
With Ireland having compiled 50 runs in the Powerplay, the West Indies skipper broke the deadlock, cleaning up her Irish counterpart Gaby Lewis before grabbing the catch of Orla Prendergast off her own bowling.
Matthews would eventually seal the deal for the Windies, nabbing the final wicket of Arlene Kelly to wrap up a six-run win.
While Amy Hunter (48) and Laura Delaney (32) were able to make a mark with the bat, Ireland were unable to close down the chase, despite having pushed the game in their favour with the ball.
With a loss in their opening game to Scotland, the Windies were on a hunt for a win to get back on track in the hunt for a Cricket World Cup spot.
The game was shortened to 33 overs a side owing to showers earlier in the day.
Batting first at the Gaddafi Stadium, Stefanie Taylor and Chinelle Henry (46 each), as well as Zaida James (36), had helped avert an early collapse after Ireland removed in-form skipper Hayley Matthews and Qiana Joseph in the Powerplay.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
14 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Farhan, Ayub script series victory
Opening duo Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub struck valuable half-centuries to help Pakistan overcome West Indies by 2-1 in the three-match T20I series after the visitors won the finale by 14 runs here at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill on Sunday evening. Pakistan successfully defended their 189-run total despite counter-attacking half-centuries by West Indies' Alick Athanaze and Sherfane Rutherford. The two teams will now travel to Trinidad and Tobago for the three-match ODI series, which begins on Friday, 8 August. Earlier, Pakistan's decision to bat first bore fruit as Saim and player of the match Sahibzada provided a head-start by raising 138 in 16.2 overs, while also striking their third T20I fifty each. Ayub and Farhan saw through the first few overs with solidity, if not quite the aggression this new-look Pakistan may have desired, and before long found the innings drawing to a close without having lost a wicket. The duo struck 47 runs in the powerplay and brought up their half-century stand in the seventh over of the innings. At the halfway mark the visitors had 82 runs on the board as Sahibzada reached his fifty off 34 balls. Saim got to his milestone with a six and four in the 13th over taking 38 balls. Shamar Joseph drew the much-awaited first blood for West Indies in the 17th over when Sahibzada departed for a 53-ball 74 comprising three fours and five sixes. It was his third half-century outing in the ongoing year. Following Sahibzada's departure Pakistan added 51 runs in 22 balls as Hasan Nawaz struck two sixes in his seven-ball 15, while Khushdil Shah (11 not out, 6b, 1x6) and Faheem Ashraf (10 not out, 3b, 1x6) carved a crucial six-ball 19-run stand for the fifth wicket as Pakistan posted 189-4. For West Indies Roston Chase, Jason Holder and Joseph picked up one wicket each. In turn, West Indies' top-scorer Athanaze and Jewel Andrew jotted together 44 runs in 4.2 overs, 33 of which came in first two overs, before Haris Rauf dismissed the latter for a 15-ball 24 consisting of three boundaries. Player of the series Mohammad Nawaz soon eked out Shai Hope's scalp for a mere seven in the ninth over. Rutherford and Athanaze then added 36 runs for the third wicket before the opening batter holed out to Khushdil off Saim's bowling in the 13th over. At this juncture West Indies required 80 off the last seven overs. Chase and Rutherford then stitched a 39-run stand before the former departed retired out for a 12-ball 15 in the 17th over, while Sufyan Moqim dismissed the previous match's hero Holder for a two-ball duck in the subsequent over giving away only three runs. With 38 required in the last two overs, Haris and Hasan Ali did the job for Pakistan restricting West Indies for 176-6 despite Gudakesh Motie's (10 not out, 4b, 1x4, 1x6) late charge. All six Pakistan bowlers grabbed a wicket each except Faheem Ashraf. Series schedule 31 July – First T20I – Pak won by 14 runs 2 Aug – Second T20I – WI won by two wickets 3 Aug – Third T20I – Pak won by 13 runs 8 Aug – First ODI at Trinidad & Tobago 10 Aug – Second ODI at Trinidad & Tobago 12 Aug – Third ODI at Trinidad & Tobago.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Express Tribune
Women's T20 WC Qualifier host revealed
Pakistan team in action during the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier in Lahore. Photo: ICC The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday confirmed that Nepal will host the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 Qualifier, which is scheduled to take place from 12 January to 16 February 2026. This global qualifier will see ten teams battling for the four remaining spots at the 10th edition of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, set to be held in England and Wales from 12 June to 5 July 2026. The main tournament will feature 33 matches over 24 days across seven venues, including iconic grounds such as Old Trafford, Headingley, Hampshire Bowl, and Bristol County Ground, with the final to be played at the historic Lord's Cricket Ground. As for the Qualifier in Nepal, the ten participating teams will be split into two groups of five, followed by a Super Six stage and a Final. The full match schedule will be revealed in due course. Bangladesh and Ireland have already booked their spots in the Qualifier based on their participation in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024. Nepal and Thailand qualified via the Asia regional pathway, while the USA earned their place through the Americas region. The remaining five teams will be decided through upcoming regional qualifiers, with two spots each for Africa and Europe, and one for the East Asia-Pacific region. Meanwhile, the ICC on June 18 unveiled groupings and venues for the 2026 main event in England and Wales: Group A will include defending champions Australia, 2024 runners-up South Africa, India, Pakistan, and two teams from the global Qualifier. Group B features hosts England, 2020 champions New Zealand, Sri Lanka, former champions West Indies, and two Qualifier teams. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals, scheduled for 30 June and 2 July at The Oval, followed by the final on 5 July at Lord's.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Express Tribune
ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 qualifiers to be held in Nepal
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed Nepal as the host for the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 Qualifier, set to take place from January 12 to February 2, 2026. The tournament will see ten teams competing for four coveted spots in the main event, which will be held in England and Wales later in the same year. Bangladesh and Ireland have earned automatic spots in the Qualifier by virtue of their participation in the 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup. Additionally, Thailand and Nepal secured their places through the Asia regional pathway, while the USA clinched their spot from the Americas region. The remaining five teams will qualify through regional qualifiers in Africa, Europe, and the East Asia-Pacific region. The Qualifier will be played in a round-robin format with the ten teams divided into two groups of five. Following the group stage, the tournament will move into a Super Six phase before culminating in the final. The full fixture details will be released closer to the tournament. The announcement comes as preparations for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in England and Wales continue. The marquee tournament will run from June 12 to July 5, 2026, with 33 matches across 24 days. Seven venues, including Old Trafford, Headingley, Hampshire Bowl, and Bristol County Ground, will host the matches, with the grand finale set to take place at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground.
