Pakistan Women Begin World Cup Qualifier Campaign Against Ireland in Lahore

​Pakistan’s women’s cricket team commenced their ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Qualifier campaign with a match against Ireland on April 9, 2025, at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. This tournament is pivotal, as the top two teams will secure the remaining spots for the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in India. ​

Match Overview:

In their opening game, Pakistan set a target of 218 runs for Ireland. Aliya Riaz was the standout performer, scoring 52 off 58 balls, including four boundaries and a six. Sidra Amin also contributed significantly with a patient 50 from 110 deliveries. Despite a solid start, Pakistan was bowled out in the penultimate over, unable to fully capitalize on their early momentum.

Team Preparations:

Under the leadership of captain Fatima Sana, the Pakistan squad entered the qualifiers with confidence. Sana emphasized the team’s dedication and readiness to perform on home soil, aiming for a spot in the World Cup. The inclusion of 19-year-old Shawaal Zulfiqar, returning after a shoulder injury, added depth to the squad.

Ireland, led by captain Gaby Lewis, also prepared diligently for the qualifiers. Lewis expressed optimism about their campaign, highlighting productive training sessions and acclimatization efforts, including a preparatory camp in Dubai. ​

Tournament Structure:

The qualifiers feature six teams: Pakistan, Ireland, Bangladesh, West Indies, Scotland, and Thailand. Each team plays the others once in a round-robin format, with two points awarded for a win. The top two teams at the end of the tournament will advance to the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. ​

Historical Context:

Historically, Pakistan has had the upper hand against Ireland in ODIs, winning 15 out of 21 encounters. This advantage, coupled with the familiarity of home conditions, positions Pakistan favorably in the qualifiers. ​

Conclusion:

With the World Cup in sight, Pakistan’s women’s team aims to leverage home advantage and a well-prepared squad to secure qualification. Their performance against Ireland sets the tone for the challenging matches ahead in the qualifiers.