In a big heartbreak West Indies failed to qualify for Women's ODI World Cup 2025 despite annihilating Thailand by seven wickets in the qualifier match at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on April 19.
West Indies miss Women's World Cup's bus
Elsewhere, Bangladesh faced Pakistan at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground, succumbing to a seven-wicket defeat. However, Bangladesh managed to surpass the West Indies in the final standings due to a marginally superior net run rate. The difference in NRR between the West Indies (0.626) and Bangladesh (0.639) was an incredibly close 0.01. Stefanie Taylor's winning six cost West Indies the World Cup berth. Had she hit four first and then followed it with a six, West Indies would have ended up sealing the coveted spot.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh have now joined Pakistan as the two teams advancing to the prestigious mega event scheduled to be held in India from September 29 to October 26. The other six teams already confirmed for the competition are the host nation India, along with New Zealand, Sri Lanka, England, Australia, and South Africa. While Pakistan was unable to secure direct qualification, they seized their second opportunity emphatically, demonstrating their strength by winning all five of their matches in the Qualifiers.
The West Indies Women's team experienced a highly successful outing against Thailand, efficiently chasing down a target of 167 runs with a significant 39.1 overs remaining. However, despite this dominant performance, their efforts fell just short of improving their net run rate sufficiently to surpass Bangladesh's. Earlier in the match, Afy Fletcher delivered a stellar bowling spell, registering figures of 10 overs, 1 maiden, 20 runs, and 4 wickets, effectively restricting Thailand to a total of 166 runs in 46.1 overs.
Aaliyah Alleyne also contributed significantly with the ball, claiming three wickets, while Ashmini Munisar chipped in with two scalps. The West Indies batters then came out aggressively in their run chase. Their captain, Hayley Matthews, led the charge with a blistering knock of 70 runs off just 29 balls, well-supported by Qiana Joseph's quickfire 26 off 12 deliveries. Chinelle Henry added a rapid 48 runs off 17 balls, but ultimately, their combined efforts were not enough to secure World Cup qualification.
In the other crucial match of the day, Muneeba Ali's solid innings of 69 runs played a pivotal role in Pakistan's successful chase of 179 runs, which they achieved with a comfortable 10.2 overs to spare. Aliya Riaz also made a significant contribution with her third half-century of the tournament. Pakistan's bowling attack was spearheaded by left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal, who delivered an impressive spell with figures of 10 overs, 1 maiden, 28 runs, and 3 wickets. Fatima Sana and Diana Baig each picked up two wickets, while Rameen Shamim and Nashra Sandhu contributed with one wicket apiece.