The most anticipated tournament, especially for the ones who missed out on direct qualification in the recently concluded cycle of the ICC Women’s Championship, the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2025, hosted in Pakistan, where a total of six teams will battle it out for a couple of spots that are up for grabs, the teams eye to book their berth in the upcoming edition of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup in India.
The Hayley Matthews-led West Indies were up against one of the most improved teams in the international arena, the Kathryn Bryce-led Scotland at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground, in the 2nd game of the tournament.
Spinners take control despite a brisk half-century from Sarah Bryce
Scotland openers Darcey Carter and Abbi Aitken-Drummond got their side off to a composed start with a 48-run opening stand after the opposition skipper Hayley Matthews won the toss and inserted them to bat first. Skipper Hayley Matthews provided the first breakthrough for her side by sending Abbi Aitken-Drummond (21 off 32 balls) in the 12th over of the innings.
Scotland lost a couple of wickets in quick succession, including the wicket of their skipper Kathryn Bryce as they were reduced to 69/3 in the 16th over of the innings. Wicket-keeper batter Sarah Bryce was joined by Ailsa Lister at the crease and the duo stitched a crucial 31-run partnership for the 4th wicket to take them to the 100-run mark.
The pair approached the situation with a positive intent, scoring at a brisk rate. However, an unfortunate run-out ended an inspired stand, as Ailsa Lister (19 off 22 balls) made her way back to the pavilion, after an impressive innings. Megan McColl joined wicket-keeper batter Sarah Bryce at the crease and the pair counter-attacked, taking their side closer to the 200-run mark courtesy of a massive 82-run stand for the 5th wicket.
Skipper Hayley Matthews returned and broke the threatening stand by sending a dangerous Sarah Bryce (55 off 56 balls) back to the pavilion in the 34th over of the innings. She completed her well-deserved half-century before getting dismissed. Handy cameo contributions from the lower order took them closer to the 250-run mark, getting bundled out for 244 with five overs to spare.
Megan McColl (45 off 44 balls), Katherine Fraser (25* off 27 balls), and Priyanaz Chatterji (15 off 10 balls) made crucial contributions propelling them to a fighting total. Skipper Hayley Matthews (10-0-56-4) was the stand-out performer with the ball, alongside Karishma Ramharack (10-1-46-2), and Aaliyah Alleyne (4-0-31-2), while Zaida James (4-1-15-0) also kept things tight with the ball for her side in her spell.
Scotland held their nerve for the win as Hayley Matthews fought a lone battle
West Indies lost their opening batter Qiana Joseph in the 2nd over chasing a competitive total of 245. Darcey Carter provided the first breakthrough for Scotland. Zaida James joined skipper Hayley Matthews at the crease and the duo settled the nerves in their camp with a massive 113-run partnership for the 2nd wicket which took them to the 120-run mark.
Chloe Abel broke the ominous stand by sending Zaida James (45 off 89 balls) back to the pavilion in the 27th over of the innings. She missed out on her well-deserved half-century, by just five runs. The breakthrough opened the door for the Kathryn Bryce-led side as Scotland continued to chip away with wickets at regular intervals despite the West Indian skipper continuing to eat away at the total at a decent rate fighting against the extreme heat conditions.
The all-rounder from the Caribbean eventually ran out of energy and had to retire hurt, barely able to walk, going off the field on a stretcher. However, it wasn’t long enough before West Indies required every ounce of their skipper’s energy to get back on her feet and try and get her side over the line in the run chase. She braved her pain and exhaustion to come on and not only just complete her 9th ODI century but landed a few punches to get them closer to one of the most remarkable victories in the history of the game.
However, it wasn’t to be for the West Indies as Aaliyah Allyene couldn’t hold on to her wicket, with Abtaha Maqsood trapping her plumb in front, as skipper Hayley Matthews in despair watched her side fall short, of a win despite all her efforts, by a mere margin of 11 runs with 22 balls to spare. Hayley Matthews (114* off 113 balls) stayed unbeaten and was left stranded at the non-striker’s end. Chenille Henry (12 off 3 balls) and Aaliyah Allyene (17 off 23 balls) were the only other batters to enter the double digits with the bat for the West Indies.
Katherine Fraser (10-1-50-3), Chloe Abel (10-0-31-2), Abtaha Maqsood (8.2-0-60-2), Darcey Carter (4-0-10-1), and skipper Kathryn Bryce (7-1-34-1) were impressive with the ball for Scotland. The West Indian skipper Hayley Matthews clinched the Player of the Match for her exceptional all-round impact, returning with match figures (10-0-56-4) in her spell with the ball, and scoring an unbeaten century (114* off 113 balls) with the bat for her side.
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