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The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2025 kicked off with two gripping matches that set the tone for what promises to be an eventful tournament. Both Pakistan and Scotland delivered statement performances to occupy the top spots in the standings after day one.
Pakistan’s All-Round Brilliance Overcomes Ireland
Pakistan got off to a winning start by overcoming Ireland in a match that showcased their resilience. The all-round brilliance of the host nation was on full display, though they stumbled in the middle of the contest before they came back strong to defeat their opponents.
After losing the toss and being put in to bat by Ireland, the hosts’ openers got off to a shaky start. Feroza Gull perished for just 4 runs in the second over off Jane Maguire as she attempted to beat the fielder on the off-side. However, Muneeba Ali scored 32 runs and stayed until the 21st over, forming a brilliant partnership with Sidra Amin, who made 51, helping to stabilise the innings.
The momentum shifted when Aliya Riaz joined the fray in the 22nd over and went on the offense against the Irish bowlers. Her strong performance of 52 runs off 58 balls included a mighty strike that energized the crowd. The tournament hosts reached a formidable 175/4 by the 42nd over but then encountered a slide to finish at 217, losing six wickets in the final Powerplay before being bowled out in the 49th over.
Maguire was the pick of the Ireland bowling attack, scalping 3/33 in her 10 overs with an impressive 44 dot balls. Ireland made a safe start to their chase and soon found wings, thanks to Gaby Lewis (44) and Amy Hunter. The game shifted when Nashra Sundhu brought the hosts back into the game by exploiting the uneven bounce and turn of the wicket, claiming three breakthroughs in the middle overs. Sandhu’s strikes were supplemented by Diana Baig’s incisive bowling, whose four wickets put Pakistan on top. The home side eventually won the contest by 38 runs.
Scotland Stuns West Indies Despite Matthews’ Heroics
In a stunning upset, Scotland overcame Matthews’s fight to stun the West Indies. Despite Hayley Matthews’ valiant all-round display, her efforts went in vain as Scotland managed to secure a big win. The cricket community was genuinely shocked by Scotland’s spirit, proving too much for the higher-ranked West Indies side.
The Scotland openers, Abbie Aitken-Drummond (21) and Darcey Carter (25) got off to a positive start with a 48-run partnership that set up a solid base for their innings. The West Indies struck back when captain Matthews snared both Aitken-Drummond and Scottish skipper Kathryn Bryce in the 12th and 14th over, respectively.
The Scottish recovery was led by Megan McColl, who joined Sarah Bryce in stabilising the Scottish innings through the middle overs with a strong partnership of 82 runs. Bryce scored a positive 55 off 56 deliveries, including six boundaries, while McColl contributed 45 off 44 balls with five boundaries. Despite some late strikes that reduced Scotland to 194/6 by the 37th over, a late flurry from Katherine Fraser (25 *) and Priyanaz Chatterji (15) guided them to 244.
Matthews led her team’s bowling efforts with a magnificent 4/56 in her 10 overs, having sent the entire Scotland top-order back to the dugout. Aaliyah Alleyne and Karishma Ramharack played supporting acts, finishing with figures of 2/31 and 2/46, respectively.
Taking control with the bat, Matthews, despite an early loss of Qiana Joseph for a duck, helped the West Indies march forward in the chase alongside Zaida James (45). The West Indies reached 120/1 before James fell, after which Scotland fought back into the contest with a flurry of wickets.
Matthews continued her fight and closed in on a remarkable hundred. In a dramatic moment of concern, Matthews went off the field due to an injury as the innings derailed. After the eighth wicket fell, she bravely returned to continue the fight despite being in evident pain. When Ramharack was dismissed with the Windies struggling at 203/9, Scotland began celebrating, but Matthews returned once more to complete her ninth ODI hundred.
Despite her evident struggles, Matthews kept fighting, with Aaliyah Alleyne providing good support. The duo managed to bring their side close to the target, and it seemed the momentum was with West Indies until Abtaha Maqsood turned around the match by trapping Alleyne leg before. The West Indies finished 11 short, with Matthews left stranded on 114* – a heroic effort that unfortunately couldn’t prevent Scotland’s historic victory.
