Pakistan defeats West Indies in crucial World Cup qualifier match

Pakistan played against the West Indies in their third One-Day International (ODI) match of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Qualifiers at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. On April 14, 2025, Pakistan managed to secure a significant victory of 65 runs, which positions them at the top of the tournament standings. The match saw Pakistan bat first, scoring a total of 191 runs, with notable performances from Sidra Amin and Aliya Riaz. Despite the slow start, Sidra achieved her half-century, contributing to her team’s total. The West Indian team struggled to chase down the target of 192 runs as they faced challenging pitch conditions. The variable bounce and considerable spin from the Lahore wicket posed difficulties for the visiting players. West Indies captain Hayley Mathews was dismissed for a golden duck, and the West Indies lost several early wickets including runouts, which hampered their progress significantly. The Pakistani bowlers, led by captain Fatima Sana, capitalized on the situation, with Sana herself taking crucial wickets. As the innings progressed, the Pakistani bowlers continued to apply pressure on the West Indies batting lineup. After the early dismissals, the West Indies were unable to recover and lost wickets regularly. Despite the best efforts from their remaining batsmen, they were bowled out well short of the target. This match was crucial for both teams, as it played a key role in determining qualification for the upcoming World Cup in India later this year. In the broader context, the tournament involves teams like Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland, and Thailand while hosting matches at the Gaddafi Stadium and LCCA ground in Lahore. The environment was tense yet enthusiastic as both teams vied for vital points in a single-league format. With this victory, Pakistan not only secured their spot at the top of the table but also strengthened their bid for World Cup qualification as the tournament progresses toward its conclusion.