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The conclusion of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier delivered plenty of drama and nail-biting finishes, but in the end, it was Pakistan and Bangladesh who booked their tickets to the showpiece event. While both teams celebrated success, the journey there was filled with standout performances, heartbreaks, and a reminder of just how fine the margins can be in tournament cricket.
Pakistan
Having enjoyed previous success through the qualifying route, Pakistan made the most of home advantage and stamped their authority with an unbeaten campaign. Led superbly by Fatima Sana, who excelled with both bat and ball, Pakistan’s dominance was built on consistent performances across the board. Batters Sidra Amin and Muneeba Ali were instrumental, while the spin duo of Nashra Sandhu and Sadia Iqbal added the control and threat that helped Pakistan control games from the middle overs.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s path to qualification was far less straightforward. Inspired by captain Nigar Sultana and the consistent Sharmin Akhter, they won their first three games and managed to edge West Indies for the second qualifying spot – but only just. Sharmin’s composed innings under pressure proved pivotal, while Nigar’s early tournament heroics ensured they had just enough cushion when the losses arrived late in the campaign.
West Indies, perennial contenders on the world stage, fell agonizingly short. Hayley Matthews was nothing short of phenomenal, leading the competition in wickets and playing a number of explosive innings with the bat. But early defeats proved too costly, and despite a late surge, their net run rate couldn’t recover in time to seal qualification, marking a rare absence from the World Cup for the Caribbean side.
Elsewhere, Scotland’s Kathryn Bryce delivered a personal masterclass with the bat, emerging as the tournament’s leading run-scorer, while also contributing with the ball. Her 131* against Ireland was one of the standout performances of the competition, even as Scotland narrowly missed out. Ireland and Thailand too had their moments, with young talents like Gaby Lewis, Amy Hunter, and Natthakan Chantham offering plenty of hope for the future.
As the dust settles on a fiercely contested qualifier, it’s Pakistan and Bangladesh who march on, leaving behind a trail of what-ifs for their rivals and setting the stage for an exciting World Cup ahead.
