An engaging contest knocks the doors of the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore as a talented Ireland side take on a sturdy West Indian side in the 5th match of the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2025. Both sides are searching for their first win in the tournament, making this fixture a must-win encounter.
West Indies will be looking to bounce back after a narrow 11-run loss to Scotland, while Ireland too will be eager to regroup, following their 38-run loss to hosts Pakistan in the curtain-raiser of the tournament. With qualification hopes on the line, expect a fiercely contested battle between two sides hungry to get their campaign back on track.
Squads:
Ireland women’s cricket team
Gaby Lewis (C), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Sarah Forbes, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Sophie MacMahon, Jane Maguire, Kia McCartney, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast
West Indies women’s cricket team
Hayley Matthews (C), Shemaine Campbelle (VC), Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Cherry Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Jannillea Glasgow, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Mandy Mangru, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, Stafanie Taylor, Rashada Williams
Players to look out:
Gaby Lewis
Gaby Lewis, the 24-year-old right-handed batter, will be a vital player for the Irish side in the must-win encounter. With 287 runs in her last 10 matches at a strike rate of 73.96, she brings consistency and composure to the batting line-up. Her ability to anchor the innings while rotating strike could prove crucial against West Indies’ bowling attack.
Orla Prendergast
Orla Prendergast, the right-arm medium pacer, will be a key figure with the ball for Ireland. The 22-year-old has picked up 10 wickets in her last 10 outings, maintaining an economy of 5.73 and a strike rate of 35.2. Her ability to break partnerships and keep the scoring rate under control in the middle overs makes her a threat to the power-packed West Indies lineup.
Shemaine Campbelle
Shemaine Campbelle, the veteran 32-year-old batter, will be central to West Indies’ batting hopes. She has registered 217 runs in her last 10 matches at an average of 27.13, offering stability in the middle order. Her calm presence and ability to build partnerships could be vital in steering the side to a strong total.
Aaliyah Alleyne
Aaliyah Alleyne made an impact in West Indies’ opening game, picking up 2 wickets for 31 runs in just 4 overs. The right-arm medium pacer showed glimpses of her wicket-taking ability despite a limited spell. With more overs under her belt, she could pose a serious challenge to the Irish batters in the upcoming clash.
Pitch:
The surface at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium is expected to offer a balanced contest between bat and ball. Early in the innings, batters are likely to enjoy favourable conditions, but as the match wears on, the surface tends to slow down, bringing spinners into the contest. In women’s ODIs, the average first-innings score here hovers around 236.
Weather:
Clear skies with 10% chances of rain and temperature of about 31°C are predicted for the match day. A complete game without weather disruptions is anticipated for the day.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Shemaine Campbelle, Gaby Lewis, Zaida James, Laura Delany, Arlene Kelly, Chinelle Henry, Orla Prendergast, Leah Paul, Stafanie Taylor, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack
Match details:
Date – April 11, 2025
Time – 10:00 AM IST
Venue – Lahore City Cricket Association Ground
Broadcast – Fans can watch all the live action on the FanCode app and website.
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