Pakistan Women secured their spot in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 after a comprehensive 87-run victory over Thailand in their fourth ODI clash of the qualifiers, held at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. The win was anchored by skipper Fatima Sana all-round brilliance, as she led from the front with an unbeaten 62 and followed up with a decisive three-wicket haul.
Batting first on a sluggish surface, Pakistan posted 205, thanks largely to a game-changing 97-run partnership between Sidra Amin and Fatima Sana. The team found themselves in trouble early at 85-4 after 32 overs, but the duo stabilized the innings with smart, calculated play. Sidra top-scored with a crucial 80 off 105 balls, while Fatima remained unbeaten on 62 off 59 deliveries, including five boundaries and a six.
Fatima was quick to credit the team’s preparation. “Our main goal was to reach the World Cup. The way the players supported each other and the belief we developed during our month-long camp in Faisalabad made this possible,” she shared after the match.
Pakistan’s innings had earlier started shakily, with opener Shawaal Zulfiqar falling early to Phannita Maya on her tournament debut. Muneeba Ali and Aliya Riaz also failed to convert starts—Muneeba miscuing a sweep to get caught off spinner Onnicha Kamchomphu, while Aliya suffered another unfortunate run-out after a mix-up with Sidra Amin.
Despite these stumbles, veteran batter Sidra held firm, notching her third fifty in four matches. Her innings was pivotal in keeping Pakistan afloat and setting a competitive total.
Thailand were far from sharp in the field, dropping six catches including Fatima early in her innings. Those missed chances proved costly, as the skipper capitalized and helped push Pakistan past the 200-run mark.
In response, Thailand started cautiously and reached 44-1 before Fatima broke through with the wicket of Nattaya Boochatham. From there, it was a steady collapse, as Pakistan’s spin trio of Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal, and Rameen Shamim controlled proceedings expertly. All three spinners kept the run rate in check and took timely wickets to prevent any momentum shift.
Pakistan’s bowlers once again proved to be the difference, defending a modest total with disciplined and intelligent bowling. Fatima, Rameen, and Nashra all picked up three wickets each in a clinical display.
Having remained unbeaten in the qualifiers so far, Pakistan now join the final stages of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, set to be hosted later this year in India. However, due to geopolitical considerations, Pakistan will play its matches at a neutral venue under the agreed “fusion” model.
The six-team qualifier tournament features Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland, Thailand, West Indies, and hosts Pakistan, with matches played in Lahore at the Gaddafi Stadium and LCCA ground.
