Kathryn Bryce led Scotland to a comprehensive 2nd win in the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2025 by 58 runs against Naruemol Chaiwai’s Thailand in the 6th game. Ireland led by skipper Gaby Lewis was up against Bangladesh led by skipper Nigar Sultana Joty in the 7th game of the tournament at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Laura Delany’s half-century propels Ireland to a fighting total
Ireland got off to a poor start as they lost the wicket of their opening batter Sarah Forbes in the 4th over of the innings, after skipper Gaby Lewis won the toss and opted to bat first. Wicket-keeper batter Amy Hunter joined skipper Gaby Lewis at the crease and the duo led the recovery with a much-needed 50-run partnership for the 2nd wicket.
Jannatul Ferdus got the big scalp of the opposition skipper Gaby Lewis (24 off 43 balls) in the 14th over of the innings to provide the 2nd breakthrough for her side. Wicket-keeper batter Amy Hunter (33 off 38 balls) soon followed her back to the pavilion, to provide the 3rd breakthrough for Bangladesh in the 19th over of the innings.
Laura Delany joined Orla Prendergast at the crease and the duo laid a strong platform for a big total on the board with a massive 72-run partnership for the 4th wicket which also took them closer to the 150-run mark. Rabeya Khan broke the ominous stand by sending Orla Prendergast (41 off 64 balls) back to the pavilion in the 34th over of the innings to provide the 4th breakthrough for Bangladesh.
Another solid 33-run partnership for the 5th wicket between Leah Paul and Laura Delany took them closer to the 200-run mark. Fahima Khatun removed the dangerous Laura Delany (63 off 75 balls) in the 42nd over of the innings, to provide the much-needed 5th breakthrough for her side. She completed her half-century before getting dismissed.
Ireland eventually posted a decent total of 235/8 in their quota of 50 overs. An unbeaten cameo from Arlene Kelly (24* off 17 balls) propelled them past the 230-run mark. Rabeya Khan (10-0-39-3), was the stand-out performer with the ball for Bangladesh. Fahima Khatun (8-0-50-2), Jannatul Ferdus (10-0-42-1), and Nahida Akter (10-1-45-0) provided brilliant support from the other end with the ball for their side.
Ritu Moni and Nahida Akter hold their nerve as Bangladesh wins back-to-back
Chasing a target of 236, Bangladesh lost both their opening batters inside the first five overs of the run chase. Skipper Nigar Sultana Joty joined Sharmin Akhter at the crease and the duo led the recovery with a much-needed 52-run partnership for the 3rd wicket. Laura Delany broke the stand, sending Sharmin Akhter (24 off 45 balls) back to the pavilion in the 17th over of the run chase, providing a crucial 3rd breakthrough for Ireland.
Bangladesh lost a couple of wickets in quick succession, including the wicket of their skipper Nigar Sultana Joty (51 off 68 balls) who completed her well-deserved half-century before getting dismissed in the 26th over of the run chase. Jane Maguire got the big scalp of the opposition skipper. Fahima Khatun joined Ritu Moni at the crease and the duo took their side closer to the 150-run mark, with a vital 45-run partnership for the 6th wicket.
Ava Canning cleaned up Fahima Khatun (28 off 38 balls) to provide the crucial breakthrough for her side. Jannatul Ferdus joined Ritu Moni at the crease and the pair settled the nerves a bit with another crucial 40-run partnership for the 7th wicket. Arlene Kelly broke the stand, sending Jannatul Ferdus (19 off 23 balls) back to the pavilion in the 41st over of the innings, providing the 7th breakthrough for her side.
Nahida Akter (18* off 17 balls) and Ritu Moni (67* off 61 balls) held their nerve en route to their vital unbeaten 54-run partnership for the 9th wicket. Ritu Moni completed her brisk half-century, her first in international cricket. Orla Prendergast (6-1-14-2) and Arlene Kelly (10-1-53-2) picked up a couple of wickets each. Laura Delany (7-0-28-1), and Jane Maguire (9-1-43-1) provided impressive support from the other end.
Ritu Moni was awarded the Player of the Match for her match-winning innings (67* off 61 balls) with the bat, playing a crucial role in helping their side seal consecutive victories with two wickets in hand and 8 balls to spare.
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