Bangladesh qualified for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup'2025 by virtue of better net run rate despite losing to hosts Pakistan by seven wickets in their last qualifying round match at the Lahore City Cricket Association ground on Saturday.
After the six-team qualifying round matches, hosts Pakistan smartly reached the eight -team final round of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup '2025 as the champions with all-win record securing full ten points from all the five matches with net run rate of 1.074, UNB reports.
In the day's other match, West Indies earned the 3rd win in their 5th and last qualifying round match beating lowly Thailand by six wickets with 235 balls remaining at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore Saturday evening.
Sent into bat first, Thailand were all out for 166 runs in 46. 1 overs and later West Indies easily reach their target scoring 168 runs for the loss of four wickets in only 10.5 overs, but missed World Cup berth due to run rate.
On completion of the qualification round matches on Saturday, both the Bangladesh and West Indies secured six points each from all the five matches, but Bangladesh qualified for the Women's World Cup '2025 as the 2nd best team with net run rate of 0.639 while West Indies eliminated from the meet with net run rate of 0.626.
The eight nation ICC Women's World Cup'2025 with two qualified teams and other six direct qualified teams ---hosts India, holders Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka ---will be held in India from September 29 to October 26.
Earlier, Bangladesh’s direct qualification in the ICC Women’s World Cup'2025' was hampered losing to West Indies by eight wickets in the 3rd ODI about three months back in St. Kits and later New Zealand earned the direct qualification in the World Cup by virtue better run rate ahead of Bangladesh.
In the day's first match, Bangladesh batted first after winning the toss and folded their innings at 178 runs for 9 in stipulated 50 overs
After the dismissal of top three batters--reliable opener Fargana Hoque (0), opener Dilara Akter (13) and captain Nigar Sultana (1). ---for just 21 runs in 6.4 overs, one down Sharmin Akter pairing Nahida Akter contributed 44 runs in the 4the wicket stand.
Number five Ritu Moni, who guided the Bangladesh towards victory against Ireland, today (Saturday) also contributed the team highest 48 runs off 76 balls with five fours, number seven Fahima Khatun made an unbeaten 44 runs off 53 ball with four fours, Sharmin Akter scored 47-ball 24 runs including four fours and Nahida Akter made 19 runs for Bangladesh.
Sadia Iqbal was the most successful among Pakistani bowlers taking three wickets for 28 runs while Fatima Sana and Daina Baig took two wickets each conceded equal 45 runs.
Chasing a target of 179 runs, Pakistan easily reached their target scoring 181 runs for the loss of three wickets with 62 balls remaining in 39.4 overs featuring two half centuries by opener Muneeba Ali and number five Aliya Riaz.
Muneeba Ali contributed the match highest 69 runs off 93 balls hitting eight boundaries, Aliya Riaz added 52 runs off 65 balls with six fours and one six while one down Sidra Amin made 52-ball 33 runs including four fours.
Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter and Nahida Akter grabbed one Pakistani wicket each conceding 25, 27 and 36 runs respectively.
