The opening day of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup Qualifier 2025 in Pakistan threw a significant upset when Scotland stunned the West Indies by 11 runs in the 2nd game of the tournament.
Skipper Hayley Matthews utilised every ounce of her energy left in the tank, battling against the extreme heat conditions to get her side over the line, however, it wasn’t to be for the Women in Maroon on the day. The hosts Pakistan defeated Ireland by 38 runs in the opening game of the tournament.
Bangladesh led by skipper Nigar Sultana Joty were up against Thailand led by skipper Naruemol Chaiwai in the 3rd game of the tournament in Lahore.
Nigar Sultana Joty’s century and Sharmin Akhter lead as Bangladesh post 271/3
Phannita Maya got her side off to an encouraging start, sending the opening batter Ishma Tanjim back to the pavilion in the 4th over of the innings providing the first breakthrough for Thailand after skipper Naruemol Chaiwai won the toss and opted to bowl first at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground.
Sharmin Akhter joined Fargana Hoque at the crease and the duo bailed their side out of troubled waters with a massive 104-run partnership for the 2nd wicket, which took them closer to the 120-run mark. Onnicha Kamchomphu broke the threatening stand by dismissing Fargana Hoque (53 off 82 balls) in the 28th over of the innings to provide the much-needed 2nd breakthrough for her side. Faragana Hoque completed her well-compiled half-century before getting dismissed.
Skipper Nigar Sultana Joty joined Sharmin Akhter at the crease and the Bangladesh skipper decided to switch gears right from the word go, by taking the attack to the opposition. The pair capitalised on the platform and stitched another massive 152-run partnership for the 3rd wicket, their highest-ever in Women’s ODI, to take them past the 270-run mark.
Skipper Nigar Sultana Joty (101 off 80 balls) completed her maiden ODI century before getting dismissed by Thipatcha Putthawong on the final ball of the innings to provide the 3rd breakthrough for Thailand. Sharmin Akhter (94* off 126 balls) provided the ideal support from the other end as she stayed unbeaten throughout. It is also the highest ODI total for Bangladesh.
Fifers from Fahima Khatun and Jannatul Ferdus bowl Bangladesh to 178-run win
Chasing a record total of 272, Thailand openers Chanida Sutthiruang and Nattaya Boochatham got their side off to a positive start with a 38-run opening partnership, with the pair scoring at a rate of around five runs an over. Chanida Sutthiruang (22 off 26 balls) who was playing with positive intent was cleaned up by Fahima Khatun in the 9th over of the run chase to provide the first breakthrough for Bangladesh.
After Sutthiruang’s departure, the Thailand batters collapsed like a pack of nine pins, surrendering to the lethal spin duo of Jannatul Ferdus and Fahima Khatun. As a result, they were bundled out for just 93 runs, with more than 21 overs to spare. The Naruemol Chaiwai-led side lost their last nine wickets for just 55 runs.
A mind-boggling spell from Jannatul Ferdus (5-3-7-5) and Fahima Khatun (8.5-1-25-5) saw Bangladesh run through Thailand’s batting line-up. It also marked the first instance when both the bowlers registered their maiden five-wicket haul in a single Women’s ODI.
Skipper Nigar Sultana Joty was awarded the Player of the Match for her sensational match-winning century, 101 off 80 balls, scoring at an impressive strike rate of 126.25. Her knock included 15 boundaries and a maximum in her innings. A massive win powered them to the top of the table with a massive boost in the net run rate.
