Aliya Riaz leads Pakistan to victory over Scotland in World Cup qualifiers

On April 9, 2025, in Lahore, Pakistan, the national women's cricket team secured a commanding victory over Scotland in their second One-Day International encounter of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Qualifiers. The match, significantly affected by rain, was reduced to 32 overs per side, utilizing the Duckworth-Lewis method for scoring. Chasing a revised target of 187 runs, Pakistan comfortably reached 190 for 4 wickets, finishing their innings with eight balls to spare. The match was marked by a stellar performance from Aliya Riaz, who played a key role in the chase. With her unbeaten 68 off just 70 balls, complete with seven boundaries and a six, Aliya showcased composure and skill despite early wickets falling on the batting side. Initially, Pakistan struggled with early dismissals, losing Gull Feroza and Sidra Amin for just 36 runs, but a fortuitous partnership between opener Muneeba Ali and Aliya turned the tide, ultimately ensuring they maintained control throughout the match. Scotland's captain, Kathryn Bryce, had earlier led her team while batting first, scoring 91 runs, which included 10 boundaries and a six. However, the Scottish team couldn't capitalize on this strong start, losing wickets at regular intervals and ending at 186 for 9 after their allowance of 32 overs. Pakistan’s bowling attack was spearheaded by captain Fatima Sana, who took 4 wickets for 23 runs, effectively dismantling the Scottish batting order and setting the tone for Pakistan's coming batting success. The rain caused a three-hour delay at the start of the match, making conditions tricky, yet both teams adapted to the challenging circumstances. The overall experience of the match not only bolstered the confidence of the players involved but also reaffirmed the mission towards qualifying for the Women’s World Cup. Aliya expressed post-match about focusing on building partnerships and adapting to the match situation, emphasizing her intent to contribute effectively while facing high-stakes scenarios in qualifying matches. This victory places Pakistan at a good position within the six-team ICC Qualifiers tournament being held in Lahore, which features participating teams including Bangladesh, Ireland, Thailand, and the West Indies, running from April 9 to 19. The tournament format consists of a single-league round-robin setup, further increasing its competitive edge and significance for aspiring teams hoping for a place in the World Cup. This successful encounter marked not only a two-match winning streak for Pakistan but highlighted individual talents like Aliya and the strong leadership of Fatima Sana, pointing towards promising prospects as they advance in the qualifiers. The dynamics of this particular match will resonate as a useful learning experience for the upcoming games within the tournament, focusing on team strategies and individual performances that can contribute to overall success.