The major event in this year’s campaign was the Women’s Qualifier Tournament 2025. Here the final two slots for the ICC World Cup in India were to be decided. The tournament took place in Pakistan from April 9 to April 19, 2025. It had 6 participating teams and 15 ODIs during the tournament. It was round-robin in format, without any knockout rounds. The top two teams in the points table qualified. The ICC Women’s World Cup will take place on Indian soil later this year.
We will now look into the details about the fixtures and the venues and the qualified teams.
Participating Teams in Women’s Qualifier Tournament 2025
Six teams competed in the ICC Women’s Qualifier Tournament 2025. The full members were Pakistan, Bangladesh, West Indies, and Ireland. These teams missed direct qualification through the Women’s Championship. Two associate teams also took part. They qualified based on ODI rankings. Scotland and Thailand were the associate teams. All teams aimed to secure a World Cup spot.
- Pakistan
- Bangladesh
- West Indies
- Ireland
- Scotland
- Thailand
All these teams had a chance to grab the final World Cup spots. The pressure was high in each game.
Tournament Format and Schedule
The tournament format was straightforward. All teams played each other once. Matches were played as 50-over games. Points were given for each win. A loss meant no points. The tournament took place over 10 days in April.
The two venues in Lahore hosted the games. The matches were held at the Gaddafi Stadium and the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground (LCCA).
The schedule of the tournament was:
- April 9: Pakistan vs. Ireland
Pakistan won by 38 runs - April 9: Scotland vs. West Indies
Scotland won by 11 runs - April 10: Bangladesh vs Thailand
Bangladesh won by 178 runs - April 11: Pakistan vs Scotland
Pakistan won by 6 wickets - April 11: Ireland vs West Indies
West Indies won by 6 runs - April 13: Bangladesh vs Ireland
Bangladesh won by 2 wickets - April 13: Scotland vs Thailand
Scotland won by 58 runs - April 14: Pakistan vs West Indies
Pakistan won by 65 runs - April 15: Ireland vs Thailand
Ireland won by 46 runs - April 15: Bangladesh vs Scotland
Bangladesh won by 34 runs - April 17: Pakistan vs Thailand
Pakistan won by 87 runs - April 17: Bangladesh vs West Indies
West Indies won by 3 wickets - April 18: Ireland vs Scotland
Ireland won by 1 wicket - April 19: Pakistan vs Bangladesh
Pakistan won by 7 wickets - April 19: Thailand vs West Indies
West Indies won by 6 wickets
Results and Qualification – ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2025
Only two teams could have qualified through ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2025 held in Pakistan. Pakistan went unbeaten in the tournament. They looked sharp, confident, and composed in every match. They topped the points table with strong performance in all departments. They became the first nation amongst others to qualify for ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 in India.
The second spot was taken by Bangladesh. But they took a really tough approach to it. It narrowed down pretty tight. Bangladesh managed it by just 0.013 of a Net Run Rate over West Indies. The points were equal between both teams. The string broke when Bangladesh held their nerves in the final turns of their course. Although they won by a big margin in the last match, the West Indies ended the tour with a bitter ending. It was truly a heartbreak as many put them as favorites before the start.
But Pakistan and Bangladesh showed their class. They were consistent throughout the campaign. Every match saw someone step up. Whether it was bat or ball, they delivered. Their qualification was not just about numbers. It was about effort, discipline, and belief. Individual brilliance played a big role. But more importantly, it was team performance that stood out. Both sides worked well as units. Pakistan’s unbeaten run spoke for itself. Bangladesh, on the other hand, showed great cricket under pressure.
Heading into the 2025 World Cup, both teams would take confidence from this. The form and momentum were on their side. For the West Indies, it was heartbreak. But for Pakistan and Bangladesh, it was a proud moment. They earned their spots on the biggest stage in women’s cricket.
Key Squads and Notable Players
Each team had a lot of key players in their squad.
- Pakistan’s squad was led by Fatima Sana. Key players included Sidra Amin and Gull Feroza. The squad had a balance of experience and young talent. They aimed to perform well in home conditions.
- Bangladesh was led by Nigar Sultana Joty. Nahida Akter and Marufa Akter were key players. The team had shown good recent form.
- West Indies was captained by Hayley Matthews. She was supported by experienced players like Shemaine Campbelle and Stafanie Taylor. They brought power and skill to the side.
- Ireland featured Gaby Lewis as captain. Laura Delany and Orla Prendergast added depth. The team had strong batting and fielding units.
- Scotland was led by Kathryn Bryce. Sarah Bryce and Katherine Fraser were emerging stars. They offered promise with both bat and ball.
- Thailand was captained by Naruemol Chaiwai. Nattaya Boochatham and Nannaphat Chaihan added balance.
Each team planned carefully. Coaches selected squads to suit Pakistan’s conditions. Youth and experience were well mixed.
Top Performers of the Women’s Qualifier Tournament 2025
Top 5 Wicket-Takers
- Hayley Matthews (West Indies)
Matthews was the tournament’s top wicket-taker. She picked up 13 wickets in 5 matches. She bowled 46.1 overs and gave away 206 runs. Her best figures were 4/24. She maintained a strong average of 15.84 and a strike rate of 21.30. Matthews also bowled with an economy of 4.46. - Fatima Sana (Pakistan)
Fatima was brilliant throughout the qualifiers. She took 12 wickets in 5 games. She bowled 37 overs and conceded just 147 runs. Her best was 4/23. She had an excellent average of 12.25 and an economy of 3.97. She struck every 18.5 balls. - Aaliyah Alleyne (West Indies)
Alleyne took 12 wickets in 5 games. She bowled 30 overs and gave away 164 runs. Her best spell was 4/39. She averaged 13.66 and had a strike rate of 15. Her economy was a bit high at 5.46. - Nashra Sandhu (Pakistan)
Nashra picked up 10 wickets in 5 games. She bowled 44 overs, giving away 156 runs. Her best was 3/19. She averaged 15.60 and had a superb economy of 3.54. - Katherine Fraser (Scotland)
Fraser bowled 45.3 overs in 5 matches. She picked up crucial wickets. Her efforts helped Scotland stay competitive throughout.
Top 5 Run-Scorers
- Kathryn Bryce (Scotland)
Bryce topped the run charts with 293 runs in 5 matches. She remained not out once and scored at an average of 73.25. Her highest score was an unbeaten 131*. She faced 311 balls and had a strike rate of 94.21. Bryce smashed 33 fours and 3 sixes. She scored one century and two fifties. A consistent and classy performance from the Scottish captain. - Sharmin Akhter (Bangladesh)
Sharmin was key to Bangladesh’s qualification. She scored 266 runs in 5 games. With one not out, she averaged 66.50. Her best was 94*. She had a strike rate of 70.74 across 376 balls. She hit 34 fours. Though she didn’t score a century, she managed three solid fifties. - Nigar Sultana (Bangladesh)
The Bangladesh captain led from the front. She scored 241 runs in 5 matches. She had one not out and averaged 60.25. Her highest score was 101. She batted with a strike rate of 108.07 off 223 balls. She hit 33 fours and 1 six. Nigar made one hundred and two fifties. - Hayley Matthews (West Indies)
Matthews had a fantastic tournament with the bat too. She made 240 runs in 5 innings, averaging 60. Her highest score was 114*. She struck at 116.50 off 206 balls. She hit 33 fours and 2 sixes. She scored one century and one fifty. - Sidra Ameen (Pakistan)
Sidra made 225 runs in 5 matches. Though she wasn’t not out in any innings, she played key roles in Pakistan’s wins. Her best was 80. She consistently gave Pakistan good starts in the tournament.
Venues and Conditions
The tournament was played in Lahore. The two main venues were the well-known cricket grounds in Pakistan.
Gaddafi Stadium: Recently renovated and hosted many games, it was famed for its atmosphere.
LCCA Ground: A historic ground hosting several matches for this edition.
Pakistan’s weather and pitch conditions were influential. The pitches tended to be batting-friendly. However, bowlers also excelled. Teams had to adapt to variable pace and bounce. The different venues added an extra layer of challenge.
Final Thoughts on Women’s Qualifier Tournament 2025
The Women’s Qualifier Tournament 2025 was a high-stakes event. Every match could have changed the qualification picture. Six teams battled for two spots to advance to the World Cup. The tournament promised thrilling cricket. Each team left no stone unturned. With strong squads and tough conditions, every game was important. The two teams eventually qualified and we are now set for the ICC World Cup 2025.
