On April 11, 2025, Pakistan will play Scotland in the fourth match of the Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2025, at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground. Both sides are confident going into this matchup after winning their first games handily.
With a 38-run victory over Ireland, Pakistan demonstrated their bowling depth and strength on home soil. Scotland, on the other hand, shocked everyone by defending their total of 244 against the West Indies by 11 runs to mark their debut on the major stage. Fans can anticipate an exciting match in Lahore as both teams are keen to keep their perfect record and go to the World Cup.
Squads:
Pakistan women’s cricket team
Fatima Sana (C), Najiha Alvi, Gull Feroza, Sidra Amin, Omaima Sohail, Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sundhu, Muneeba Ali, Rameen Shamim, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Syeda Aroob Shah, Natalia Parvaiz, Sidra Nawaz
Scotland women’s cricket team
Kathryn Bryce (C), Chloe Abel, Abbi Aitken-Drummond, Sarah Bryce, Darcey Carter, Priyanaz Chatterji, Katherine Fraser, Ailsa Lister, Abtaha Maqsood, Megan McColl, Hannah Rainey, Nayma Sheikh, Rachel Slater, Pippa Sproul, Ellen Watson.
Players to watch out:
Muneeba Ali
Pakistan’s Muneeba Ali is a potent left-handed opening batter and wicketkeeper. She has played 45 ODI matches, accumulating 998 runs at an average of 23.76 with a strike rate of 61. Notably, she notched up an unbeaten 102 against Ireland in the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup, becoming the first Pakistani woman to record a T20I century, and scored 32 runs against the same opposition in her most recent game.
Aliya Riaz
An experienced 32-year-old all-rounder, Aliya Riaz is well-known for her effective bowling and middle-order batting. She has played in 69 One Day Internationals and has scored 1,376 runs at a strike rate of 65.36 and a batting average of 25. She has shown her versatility on the field by taking 12 wickets with the ball at an economy rate of 5.44. She scored 52 in the most recent match against Ireland and can be trusted for all-rounder efforts.
Kathryn Bryce
Scotland’s captain and key all-round player is Kathryn Bryce. In just six ODI matches, she has amassed 307 runs with a strike rate of 85 and a best score of 83. She has also taken six wickets in five innings at an average of 22, and she has continuously led the team with both bat and ball. She took one wicket in the most recent match against Scotland.
Abtaha Maqsood
Scotland’s top leg-spin bowler, Abtaha Maqsood, is renowned for her ability to take wickets and bowl cheaply. She frequently makes vital breakthroughs in games and has been a vital part of Scotland’s bowling attack. She claimed two wickets in the most recent game and has taken 21 ODI wickets in nine innings at an economy rate of 4.33.
Pitch:
The Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) Ground is renowned for helping spinners, particularly during the middle overs. The surface moves more slowly as the game goes on, making it harder to play strokes. At this venue, teams that remain disciplined can score more than the average of 236 in the first innings.
Weather:
The conditions in Lahore are forecasted to be hot and dry. Players will have to battle heat, particularly in the afternoon. The surface will remain dry due to the humidity remaining at about 26%, which will benefit spin bowlers. Rain is hardly a possibility; thus the game will go on uninterrupted.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Muneeba Ali, Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, Kathryn Bryce, Sarah Bryce, Darcey Carter, Abtaha Maqsood, Diana Baig, Nashra Sundhu, Katherine Fraser
Match details:
Date – April 11, 2025
Time – 10:00 AM IST
Venue – Lahore City Cricket Association Ground, Pakistan
Broadcast – Fans can watch all the live action on FanCode.
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