In a captivating start to their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier campaign, Pakistan clinched a 38-run victory against Ireland at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. The match showcased stellar performances from Aliya Riaz and Sidra Amin with the bat, complemented by a fiery four-wicket haul from Diana Baig, ensuring the home side kicked off the tournament with a statement win.
Opting to bat first, Pakistan faced an early jolt when opener Gull Feroza edged one to the slips for just four runs in the second over, leaving the scoreboard reading a shaky 4 for 1. However, resilience shone through as Sidra Amin and Muneeba Ali stitched together a vital 77-run partnership to steady the ship. Muneeba played a cautious knock of 32 off 59 balls before falling to Ireland’s disciplined bowling attack. Sidra, anchoring the innings, found an able ally in Aliya Riaz, and the duo propelled Pakistan past the 150-run mark with a fluent 72-run stand.
Sidra’s patient 51 off 112 balls ended in the 36th over, but Aliya took charge, smashing 52 off 58 deliveries—her knock laced with four boundaries and a towering six. Her aggressive intent lifted Pakistan to 217, though a late collapse saw the final six wickets tumble for just 42 runs, wrapping up the innings in 49 overs. Ireland’s Jane Maguire emerged as the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 for 33 in her 10 overs, while Arlene Kelly and Cara Murray supported with two scalps apiece.
Chasing 218, Ireland’s reply started brightly with captain Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter forging a spirited 69-run partnership. Both batters notched up 44 runs each, keeping their side in the hunt. However, Pakistan’s spinners turned the tide decisively. Nashra Sandhu struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Lewis and Hunter to leave Ireland reeling. Orla Prendergast fought valiantly with a gritty 37, but the lower order crumbled under pressure from Pakistan’s relentless bowling unit.
Diana Baig stole the show with a match-defining spell of 4 for 28, ripping through Ireland’s batting lineupSandhu’s 3/29 and Sadia Iqbal’s twin scalps skittled Ireland for 179 in 44 overs, leaving them 38 runs shy of victory in a gripping chase. Baig’s heroics earned her the Player of the Match award, a fitting reward for her game-changing contribution.
The victory sets a positive tone for Pakistan’s campaign as they aim to secure a spot in the Women’s Cricket World Cup. Meanwhile, Ireland will look to regroup quickly ahead of their next fixture.
In a parallel qualifier clash on the same day, Scotland edged out West Indies by 11 runs in a nail-biting encounter. The result underlines the competitive spirit of the tournament, with every match proving crucial in the race for qualification. As the qualifiers unfold, Pakistan’s blend of batting depth and bowling prowess positions them as a team to watch in this high-stakes competition.
