Strong Bowling Performance Secures 38-Run Win in Lahore Heat
LAHORE – Pakistan Women’s Cricket Team kicked off their campaign in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Qualifiers with a thrilling 38-run victory over Ireland in the tournament opener held at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Wednesday.
Defending a modest total, Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Diana Baig and Nashra Sandhu, delivered a match-winning performance, bundling out the Irish side for 179 runs.
Diana Baig Leads Pakistan to Victory With 4 Wickets
Right-arm seamer Diana Baig was the standout performer with the ball, grabbing 4 wickets for 35 runs in her 9-over spell. She removed Irish opener Sarah Forbes early in her spell and returned later to clean up the lower order, dismissing Christina Coulter Reilly, Louise Little, and Arlene Kelly.
Her impressive bowling earned her the Player of the Match award.
“As a bowling unit, we believed that sticking to our plans and building pressure would cause panic in the chase,” said Diana during the post-match presentation.
Nashra Sandhu Dismantles Irish Top Order
Left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu also played a crucial role, taking 3 wickets — including the prized scalps of Ireland captain Gaby Lewis, Amy Hunter, and Laura Delany — just when Ireland looked poised for a successful chase at 95/1.
The final wicket fell to a run-out, as Pakistan captain Fatima Sana and Nashra combined to dismiss Cara Murray, sealing the win for the home team.
Pakistan’s Batting: Aliya Riaz and Sidra Amin Shine
Earlier, Pakistan were bowled out for 217 in 49 overs, despite being comfortably placed at 153/3 at one point. The middle and lower order failed to capitalize on a solid platform.
- Aliya Riaz top-scored with a fluent 52 off 58 balls, including four boundaries and a six.
- Sidra Amin contributed a steady 50 off 110 balls, anchoring the innings during the early overs.
For Ireland, Jane Maguire stood out with the ball, finishing with 3 wickets for 33 runs in her 10 overs. Her dismissals included Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali, and Sidra Nawaz.
Notably, Gull Feroza made her ODI debut in this match, having previously represented Pakistan in T20Is.
Post-Match Reactions
Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana praised her team’s all-round effort, saying:
“We aimed for a strong start and we got it. Initially, we targeted a 240+ score, but adjusted based on the pitch conditions. Diana’s bowling made the difference, and our seniors stepped up when it mattered.”
Tournament Overview: Pakistan Lead the Table
With this win, Pakistan now sit at the top of the points table with a net run rate of +0.76 in the six-team qualifier. The round-robin tournament also features Bangladesh, Scotland, Thailand, West Indies, and Ireland.
All matches are being held in Lahore — at the Gaddafi Stadium and LCCA Ground — from April 9 to April 19, 2025.
The top two teams from the tournament will qualify for the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup, scheduled to be held in India later this year.
Pakistan Eye World Cup Spot Amid Scorching Heat
Hosting an ICC Women’s event for the first time, Pakistan have already won both of their warm-up matches — against Thailand and West Indies — and are looking strong to secure one of the qualifying spots. However, the sweltering 39°C heat in Lahore may present a significant challenge for all participating teams.
Pakistan will next face Scotland on Friday at the LCCA Ground, aiming to build on their winning momentum and edge closer to World Cup qualification.