The stage is set, and the anticipation is building as the countdown begins for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2025. With just a few days to go, six determined teams are gearing up for a thrilling battle in Lahore, Pakistan, where only two coveted tickets to the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in India are up for grabs. Running from April 9 to 19, this high-stakes competition will see 15 gripping encounters unfold exclusively across two storied venues — the iconic Gaddafi Stadium Lahore (GSL) and the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) ground.
For some, this is a shot at redemption and a chance to return to the upper echelon of world cricket. For others, it’s about scripting history and carving out a legacy. Here’s a look at six game-changers expected to light up the qualifiers.
Fatima Sana
Pakistan’s captain Fatima Sana is ready to lead from the front. Making her international debut in 2019 against South Africa, she wasted no time in making an impact, claiming the crucial wicket of Lizelle Lee and helping restrict the opposition to a paltry 63. Since then, she has grown into a central figure for Pakistan, having featured in 41 ODIs. With the bat, she’s amassed 482 runs, her top score being an unbeaten 90 against New Zealand. As a bowler, she’s been equally effective, claiming 51 wickets, including a standout 5/39 against the West Indies. All eyes will be on her to rally her squad in home conditions.
Nigar Sultana Joty
Skipper Nigar Sultana Joty brings both composure and consistency to Bangladesh’s campaign. At 27, she’s already an experienced performer with 53 ODIs under her belt, tallying 1076 runs. Her top knock, a solid 73, came against New Zealand, and her skills behind the stumps are equally impressive. She holds the record for joint-most dismissals in the ICC Women’s Championship, with 26 in just 22 ODIs. Her recent form has been promising, highlighted by a gritty 68-run effort against the West Indies in January 2025. With her at the helm, Bangladesh is poised for a strong run.
Sarah Bryce
Scotland’s Sarah Bryce is swiftly becoming one of the most exciting names in associate cricket. Known for her explosive finishing skills, she made waves while representing Delhi Capitals, smashing 60 runs at a strike rate of 150. Her international journey began in T20Is in 2018 versus Uganda, and she transitioned to ODIs in 2023 against Ireland. In her five ODI appearances so far, she’s notched 171 runs, with the highest of 84 and a respectable average of 34.20. In T20Is, her record is even more formidable, scoring 1290 runs from 58 matches, with a top score of 67. Expect fireworks when Bryce steps up.
Nattaya Boochatham
Veteran Nattaya Boochatham is the heartbeat of Thailand’s team. At 38, she continues to defy expectations. She was her nation’s top scorer during the 2017 World Cup Qualifier and shared the title of leading wicket-taker. Her official international debut came a year later, and though she didn’t play her first ODI until the age of 35, she made her mark with 10 wickets and a best of 3/7 against Zimbabwe from eight ODIs. Her T20I career has been even more prolific — with 743 runs and 126 wickets from 99 appearances. In fact, she was the first player from an associate nation to reach 100 T20I wickets and famously held the record for most T20I wickets in a calendar year — a staggering 40 in 2019. She’s more than just experienced — she’s a legend.
Chinelle Henry
West Indies all-rounder Chinelle Henry has often flown under the radar, but her recent form is demanding attention. Since debuting in 2014, she has slowly built a reputation as a dependable performer. In 49 ODIs, she has scored 559 runs and claimed 32 wickets. Known for her power-hitting, Henry turned heads in the Women’s Premier League, hammering 163 runs at a blistering strike rate of 196.38 while also taking 6 wickets. Her momentum carried into her international duties, including a career-best ODI knock of 61 against India and a three-wicket haul — the fourth of her career — also against India in 2024. Henry is ready to explode when it matters most.
Orla Prendergast
Ireland’s cricketing prodigy, Orla Prendergast, continues to rise. The 22-year-old stunned the world with an unbeaten 122 against Sri Lanka in August 2024, marking Ireland’s second-highest women’s ODI score and helping chase down a daunting 261 with just four balls left. That performance also featured her best bowling figures — 3/25 — showcasing her all-round brilliance. To date, she’s played 34 ODIs, scoring 819 runs at a steady average of 30.33 and picking up 18 wickets. As Ireland eyes qualification, Prendergast’s contributions with both bat and ball could be the X-factor.
The tournament will follow a round-robin format where each team faces the others once. Every win nets two points, and after 15 matches, the top two teams on the table will seal their spot in the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup.
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