By Shafaat Khan
LAHORE: Experienced pacer Diana Baig and spinner Nashra Sandhu bowled extremely well as Pakistan were off to a solid start to their 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers by beating Ireland by 38 runs in their opener at the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.
Set to score 218 Ireland were skittled out for 179 despite having been in a good position at one stage. Diana Baig (4-35) and Nashra Sandhu (3-41) were the star performers with the leather.
They were ably backed by spinner Sadia Iqbal who took 2-33.
After being invited to bat first in hot conditions Pakistan rode on the reasonably good batting exploits from experienced pair Aliya Riaz (52) and Sidra Amin (51) to post 217 all out in 49 overs.
Following an early dismissal of debutant Gull Feroza (4), Sidra Amin and Muneeba Ali (32) did well to give a solid base to the hosts by adding 77 runs for the second wicket stand.
Jane Maguire removed Muneeba who struck four fours in her 59-ball knock.
Sidra then shared 72 runs for the third wicket partnership with Aliya Riaz before she was trapped lbw by leg spinner Cara Murray to leave Pakistan at 153-3 in 36 overs.
Sidra, playing her 70th game, struck three fours in her 112-ball ninth fifty of her career.
After the key partnership was broken Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals.
Murray then got rid of Aliya Riaz who hammered one six and four fours in her 58-ball eighth fifty of her career.
Skipper Fatima Sana hammered a 15-ball 19 with four fours.
Fast bowler Jane Maguire, who is the sister of young Ireland spinner AK Maguire, produced her career best figures of 3-33 in her quota of ten overs. Arlene Kelly (2-34 in 9) and Murray (2-19 in 10) also bowled well.
Chasing a tricky target Ireland lost an early wicket of Sarah Forbes (9). However, at this stage Gabby Lewis (44) and stumper Amy Hunter (44) did well to add 69 runs for the second wicket to set a solid foundation.
However, Nashra Sandhu put Pakistan back on track by removing both the set batters Lewis and Hunter in quick succession.
Lewis hit five fours in her 67-ball knock while Hunter clobbered four fours from 54 balls.
And the collapse went deep as Ireland were folded for 179 in 44 overs with Orla Prendergast turning out to be the only other batter who made a notable contribution of 53-ball 37 which featured three fours.
West Indies-Scotland match:
Meanwhile in the other game at the LCCA Ground skipper Haley Matthews’ all-round show went in vain as Scotland defeated West Indies by 11 runs.
Scotland strongly defended 244 they scored by bowling West Indies out for 233 in 46.2 overs with Haley Matthews scoring unbeaten 114. She struck 14 fours in her 113-ball ninth ODI century of her career.
After losing Qiana Joseph for a duck Haley took the responsibility and went deep but could not prevent her side from tasting defeat.
Haley added 113 runs for the second with stand with Zaida James who chipped in with an 89-ball 45 which featured five hours and one six.
After this partnership was broken West Indies kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were folded just short of the target.
Katherine Fraser was the pick of the bowlers with 3-50. Chloe Abel and Pakistan’s origin Abtaha Maqsood got two wickets each.
Earlier Sara Bryce (55) and Megan McColl (45) batted well to guide Scotland to 244 all out in 45 overs.
Bryce, the stumper, hit six fours in her 56-ball fine knock. Megan McColl got run out after hitting five fours. Katherine remained not out on 25 and opener Darcey Carter made 25.
Haley Matthews led from the front by capturing 4-56 with off-spin bowling in her quota of ten overs.
Aaliyah Alleyne and Karishma Ramharack claimed two wickets each.
