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Pakistan have punched their tickets to the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup after beating Thailand by 87 runs in the qualifier game of the tournament, played at the Gaddafi Stadium on April 17. Pakistan are currently leading the points table with eight points, earned through four wins. Their next encounter will be on April 19 against Bangladesh, who are in a strong position to accompany Pakistan at the World Cup as they are holding the second spot on the points tally with three wins and a loss.
Taking on Thailand, Pakistan batted first after winning the toss and racked up 205 runs in their 50 overs. After the early fall of Shawal Zulfiqar, Muneeba Ali, and Aliya Riaz, Sidra Ameen stood at the crease and played her role efficiently. Accompanying her captain Fatima Sana, she stitched a 97-run partnership for the fifth wicket which helped Pakistan reach a decent score. Ameen departed after scoring 80 off 105 while Sana remained unbeaten until the end with her score of 62 off 59.
Sana led from the front to help Pakistan break into Women's ODI World Cup 2025
After the superb batting show, Sana didn’t relent against the opponents as she bagged 3/39 figures in her eight-over spell to bundle out Thailand at just 118. She was supported by spinners Rameen Shamim and Nashra Sandhu, who grabbed three wickets apiece to help Pakistan hammer the Thai team by a massive margin of 87 runs. Sana received the player of the match (POTM) award for her all-round excellence.
With Pakistan’s qualifying for the World Cup, it’s likely that the marquee tournament might take place in the hybrid model. The upcoming World Cup edition will be hosted by India, which means Pakistan might play their matches in Sri Lanka as the International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed in the past that the events hosted by any of both sub-continent nations will be held in a hybrid model. The decision was taken by cricket’s apex body following India’s men’s team refusing to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025, citing security concerns.
