Pakistan kept their 100 percent record intact as they beat Bangladesh by seven wickets in their final ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier game, here at the LCCA ground on Saturday afternoon.
Player of the match Muneeba Ali’s 93-ball 69 and Aliya Riaz’s unbeaten 52 took Pakistan home before Sadia Iqbal (3-28), skipper Fatima Sana (2-45) and Diana Baig (2-45) restricted Bangladesh to 178-9 in 50 overs.
In pursuit of the target, Pakistan lost opening batter Shawaal Zulfiqar in the first over. Sidra Amin, coming on the back of consecutive half-centuries, stitched an 80-run partnership with Muneeba for the second wicket, before the former was out caught behind after a gritty 65-ball 33 comprising four boundaries.
Muneeba constructed a 74-run partnership with Aliya before she made her way back to the pavilion after her 93-ball stay on the crease featuring eight boundaries. Aliya remained not out on 52 off 76 balls which included six fours and one six.
Earlier in the day Bangladesh slipped to 21-3, when their top-scorer Ritu Moni (48, 76b, 5x4s) walked in to bat. She shared a 44-run partnership each with Sharmin Akhter (19, 51b, 2x4s) and Nahida Akter (24, 47b, 4x4s). No.7 batter Fahima Khatun pitched in with an unbeaten 44 off 53 balls hitting four boundaries.
Ireland edge Scotland in thriller
A century by Kathryn Bryce was not enough in the end as Ireland claimed a dramatic, one-wicket victory over Scotland, ending the latter’s hopes of reaching the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 hosted by India.
The Scotland skipper was sensational with the bat, making an unbeaten 131 to help them to set Ireland a target of 269.
She then took three wickets with the ball, but Laura Delany’s unbeaten 57 saw Ireland home off the final delivery, a pair of leg byes earning them their victory.
With this defeat, Scotland cannot catch up to Bangladesh who, along with the West Indies are now the two remaining teams who can compete to join Pakistan in progressing to the main event later this year.
Scotland found themselves in trouble early with openers Pippa Sproul (1) and Maryam Faisal (4) both falling cheaply. Sarah Bryce following soon after, also for four.
At 19 for three in the 10th over, the chances of a big score seemed slim, but Kathryn Bryce completely changed the face of the game. She put on 62 with Ailsa Lister (27) for the fourth wicket, before Megan McColl came to the crease and chipped in with a run-a-ball 15.
McColl was trapped in front by Ava Canning (3/48), but Katherine Fraser joined Bryce and the pair added 65 before Cara Murray removed Fraser for 33.
Another half-century stand followed, Priyanaz Chatterji making 26 before she departed to leave Scotland on 216 for seven with five overs to go.
Rachel Slater then became the fourth batter to form a 50-run partnership with Bryce, the duo adding 62 in just five overs to take Scotland to 268 for seven, Bryce finishing on a magnificent 131 not out.
Ireland started their chase in positive fashion thanks to Sarah Forbes and Gaby Lewis who shared a 109-run opening stand.
Twenty-two-year-old Forbes brought up her maiden half-century before she was run out after a mix-up with Lewis for 55, Amy Hunter followed her back to the changeroom soon after, caught behind off Fraser first ball.
Lewis brought up her half-century before departing for 61, also caught by Sarah Bryce, this time off the bowling of Chloe Abel.
Fraser picked up another important wicket when she trapped Leah Paul in front for 10, before she plucked a good catch at backward point off Abel to remove Louise Little for one.
Sophie McMahon then succumbed to a family combination, caught by Sarah Bryce off the bowling of Kathryn Bryce for three.
Scotland seemed to be well on their way to victory, but Jane Maguire came in and notched a career-best 28, putting on 53 with Laura Delany for the eighth wicket.
