On April 5, 2025, at 10:00 AM IST, Bangladesh Women play Scotland Women in the first warm-up match of the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2025 at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Eyeing qualification to the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 later this year in India, both teams are keen to perfect their methods and dominate their way to the big event.
Bangladesh, under the leadership of Nigar Sultana-Joty, has a solid record against Scotland and will try to continue to dominate. Scotland, led by Kathryn Bryce, hopes to defy expectations and establish their abilities on the international front.
Squads:
Bangladesh Women’s Cricket Team
Nigar Sultana, Dilara Akter, Fahima Khatun, Fargana Hoque, Fariha Trisna, Ishma Tanjim, Jannatul Ferdus, Marufa Akter, Sobhana Mostary, Nahida Akter, Rabeya Khan, Ritu Moni, Sharmin Akhter, Shorna Akter, Sumaiya Akther
Scotland Women’s Cricket Team
Kathryn Bryce, Chloe Abel, Abbi Aitken-Drummond, Sarah Bryce, Darcey Carter, Priyanaz Chatterji, Maryam Faisal, Katherine Fraser, Ailsa Lister, Abtaha Maqsood, Megan McColl, Hannah Rainey, Nayma Sheikh, Rachel Slater, Pippa Sproul
Players to watch out:
Nigar Sultana-Joty
The mainstay of Bangladesh’s batting order and a significant skipper is Nigar Sultana. Her leadership is essential to Bangladesh’s campaign in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, as she has years of experience at the international level. Nigar has amassed 1076 runs in 48 WODI innings, including five half-centuries, and is a valuable player in the field because to her quick reflexes behind the stumps.
Marufa Akter
Bangladesh’s 20-year-old Marufa Akter has become a deadly fast bowler who can overwhelm hitters with her quick movement and accurate line and length. She has also grown into a valuable lower-order player, giving the team’s batting more depth. In WODIs, she has amassed 54 runs down the order and claimed 16 wickets at an economy rate of 4.48 in 20 innings.
Kathryn Bryce
With her exceptional all-around abilities, Kathryn Bryce is Scotland’s top player. She is a technically sound batter who can hit early and is a dependable medium-pacer with the ball. The Scotland squad is led by Bryce because of her leadership abilities and wealth of international cricketing experience. In WODIs, she has amassed 301 runs with an 86-strike rate in 5 innings.
Abtaha Maqsood
With her ability to fool hitters with variations, Abtaha Maqsood, a highly gifted leg-spinner, has helped Scotland win matches. She is capable of contributing vital runs down the order in addition to bowling. In subcontinental conditions like Lahore, her presence gives Scotland a potent spin option that might change the course of the match. She has taken 19 wickets in 8 innings at an economy of 3.95 which includes 2 four wicket hauls.
Pitch:
The Gaddafi Stadium is well-known for having a batting-friendly surface that provides bowlers with little help. Because of the pitch’s preference for stroke play, high-scoring games are frequent. As the game goes on, spinners might get a turn, but batters should dominate most of the time.
Weather:
Lahore is forecasted to experience warm, dry weather with highs of about 30°C. Players will find the conditions comfortable due to the modest humidity levels. Rain is not predicted; thus, the game will go on without interruption.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Nigar Sultana, Kathryn Bryce, Sarah Bryce, Fargana Hoque, Marufa Akter, Rachel Slater, Nahida Akter, Megan McColl, Fahima Khatun, Priyanaz Chatterji, Abtaha Maqsood
Match details:
Date – April 5, 2025
Time – 10:00 AM IST
Venue – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Broadcast – Fans can catch all the live action on ICC.TV.
Loves all things female cricket