The hosts Pakistan stunned the Hayley Matthews-led West Indies by a massive margin of 65 runs in a low-scoring thriller, in the 8th game of the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers in 2025 at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Ireland led by skipper Gaby Lewis were all set to face Thailand led by skipper Naruemol Chaiwai in the 9th game of the tournament at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground.
Leah Paul, Amy Hunter, and skipper Gaby Lewis’s half-centuries power Ireland past the 300-run mark.
The Ireland openers Sarah Forbes and skipper Gaby Lewis got their side off to a solid start with an 88-run opening partnership after the Irish skipper won the toss and opted to bat first. Suleeporn Laomi broke the stand by sending Sarah Forbes (29 off 35 balls) back to the pavilion to provide the first breakthrough for Thailand in the 16th over of the innings.
Wicket-keeper Amy Hunter joined skipper Gaby Lewis at the crease and the duo took their side closer to the 150-run mark with a crucial 56-run partnership for the 2nd wicket. Thipatcha Putthwong got the big scalp of the opposition skipper Gaby Lewis (75 off 89 balls) to provide the 2nd breakthrough for her side in the 26th over of the innings. Skipper Gaby Lewis completed her half-century before getting dismissed.
Orla Prendergast joined Amy Hunter at the crease and the pair took their side closer to the 200-run mark with a crucial 43-run partnership for the 3rd wicket. An unfortunate run-out ended Orla Prendergast’s stay at the crease in the 35th over of the innings to provide the 3rd breakthrough for Thailand.
A massive unbeaten 87-run partnership for the 5th wicket between Leah Paul (67* off 40 balls) and Laura Delany (23* off 33 balls) propelled them past the 300-run mark. Wicket-keeper batter Amy Hunter (76 off 71 balls) notched up a brisk half-century, while Leah Paul provided the finishing touches scoring at a strike rate of 167.50, her knock included 10 boundaries and a maximum. It is also Ireland’s 4th highest total in the ODI format.
Chanida Sutthiruang (10-0-43-1), Thipatcha Putthawong (10-0-65-1), and Suleeporn Laomi (7-0-47-1) picked up a wicket each with the ball for Thailand.
Suwanan Khiaoto’s fighting half-century in vain as Ireland clinch a comprehensive victory.
Chasing a massive target of 306, the Thailand openers Nattaya Boochatham and Chanida Sutthiruang got their side off to a cautious start with a 34-run opening partnership. A run-out ended Nattaya Boochatham’s stay at the crease in the 11th over of the run chase to provide the first breakthrough for Ireland.
Thailand suffered a mini collapse as they lost their next three wickets for just 42 runs, giving Ireland firm control of the game. Phannita Maya joined skipper Naruemol Chaiwai when their side was in trouble at 76/4 in the 18th over of the run chase. Their pair bailed their side out of trouble with a much-needed 90-run partnership for the 5th wicket to take them past the 150-run mark.
Sophie MacMahon broke the ominous stand by sending the opposition skipper Naruemol Chaiwai (37 off 39 balls) back to the pavilion in the 34th over of the innings to provide the crucial 6th breakthrough for her side. A couple of quick strikes, reduced Thailand to 182/7 in the 37th over of the innings, as Ireland inched closer to something special. However, Thipatcha Putthawong and wicket-keeper batter Suwanan Khiaoto had other plans as they frustrated the Irish bowlers with a defiant 71-run stand for the 8th wicket. The remarkable partnership under pressure took them past the 250-run mark, which also happens to be the first instance that Thailand surpassed the landmark in the ODI format.
Thailand were eventually bundled out for 259, with five balls to spare, falling 46 runs short of the target. Suwanan Khiaoto (59 off 50 balls) completed an impressive half-century with the bat for her side, while Phannita Maya (43 off 61 balls), Thipatcha Putthawong (22 off 36 balls), and Nannapat Koncharoenkai (21 off 21 balls) chipped in with crucial contributions with the bat for Thailand.
Louise Little picks a Fifer
Louise Little was the stand-out bowler for Ireland as she bagged her maiden five-wicket haul in the format for Ireland. Kia McCartney (10-0-73-2), Sophia MacMohan (10-1-36-1), Orla Prendergast (6-1-25-0) and Cara Murray (10-0-68-1) were impressive with the ball for Ireland. Louise Little was awarded the Player of the Match for her exceptional match-winning spell with the ball for her side.
The top order batters skipper Gaby Lewis wicket-keeper batter Amy Hunter and Leah Paul set the tone before Louise Little led the bowling unit with her spell to set up a crucial win, earning their first points of the tournament, keeping their hopes alive for a spot in the World Cup later this year in India.
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