Pakistan Wins 2025 Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier, Secures Spot

When Fatima Sana, captain of the Pakistan Women's National Cricket Team, sealed a flawless five‑match run in the 2025 Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier, the cricketing world took notice.

Hosted across various venues in India from early April to the 20th, the tournament saw six nations battle for the final two slots at the main event in June. On April 20, 2025, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed Pakistan’s top‑place finish with ten points and a net run rate (NRR) of +1.074, while Bangladesh edged West Indies for the runner‑up spot on a razor‑thin NRR margin of 0.013.

Background and the ICC Qualification Pathway

The ICC’s qualification roadmap for the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup has remained largely unchanged since the 2011 cycle: eight teams qualify directly via the ICC Women’s Rankings, and the remaining two spots are decided through a round‑robin qualifier. Historically, this pathway has produced surprise qualifiers, but Pakistan’s hosting duties—its first women’s ICC event since 2017—added a fresh layer of pressure and opportunity.

According to the ICC‑approved tournament regulations released on January 10, 2025, the top two finishers in the six‑team group would earn a guaranteed ICC participation fee of roughly USD $1.5 million each, plus potential sponsorship and broadcasting revenue. Those figures, while modest compared with the men's game, represent a significant boost for women's cricket boards in South Asia.

Tournament Overview and Pakistan’s Perfect Run

Pakistan entered the qualifier as the designated host, bearing the ‘(H)’ tag in the points table. The round‑robin format meant each side faced the others once, for a total of five matches per team. After a shaky opening game that left the team at 1‑1 on the scoreboard, the side rallied dramatically.

• Match 1 vs. Scotland – narrow 3‑run win, NRR +0.212.
• Match 2 vs. Ireland – dominant 45‑run victory, NRR +0.430.
• Match 3 vs. Thailand – crushing 78‑run win, NRR +0.600.
• Match 4 vs. West Indies – six‑wicket chase, NRR +0.642.
• Match 5 vs. Bangladesh – 20‑run win, NRR +0.090.

All five wins propelled Pakistan to ten points, sealing the top berth before the final round of matches concluded. By contrast, Bangladesh finished with six points and a +0.639 NRR, edging West Indies, who also had six points but a slightly lower NRR of +0.626.

Key Players and the Official ‘Team of the Tournament’

The ICC’s post‑tournament panel announced a 12‑player ‘Team of the Tournament’ on April 20. Apart from captain Fatima Sana, the squad featured Pakistan wicketkeeper Nigar Sultana and opening batter Muneeba Ali. All‑rounders Hayley Matthews (West Indies) and Chinelle Henry (West Indies) rounded out the bowl‑bat combo.

Pakistan’s own pace bowler Sadia Iqbal earned a spot thanks to a 12‑wicket haul across the tournament, while emerging spinner Nashra Sandhu impressed with a tidy economy rate of 2.85. The inclusion of players from Bangladesh, Scotland, and Ireland highlighted the growing depth of women’s cricket globally.

Reactions from Officials and Experts

Mohsin Naqvi, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, issued a statement on April 15 praising the squad’s resilience: “The remarkable turnaround after early setbacks shows the character of our women’s side and the effectiveness of the PCB’s development programmes.”

In contrast, Narayanan Sridhar, CEO of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, noted the narrow margin that secured his team’s spot: “Qualifying by a 0.013 NRR difference underlines how competitive women’s cricket has become, and we’re proud to bring Bangladesh to the world stage again.”

Cricket analyst Rashid Khan (not to be confused with the Pakistani male star) pointed out that Pakistan’s aggressive top‑order batting—averaging 48 runs per innings—was the decisive factor, while Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling spell kept West Indies at bay during the crucial final round.

Financial and Strategic Implications

Beyond the prestige, both qualifying nations will receive the ICC’s participation fee, estimated at USD $1.5 million each. Added revenue streams are expected from new sponsorship deals, especially with regional brands eager to capitalize on the growing viewership of women’s cricket in South Asia.

The PCB has already hinted at a “Women’s Cricket Investment Fund” to upgrade training facilities in Lahore and Karachi, leveraging the qualifier success to attract corporate partners. Meanwhile, the BCB is negotiating a multi‑year broadcasting contract with a South Asian sports network, aiming to double its media rights income from the previous cycle.

Looking Ahead to the 2025 World Cup

The 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup kicks off in June, featuring ten teams: eight automatic qualifiers and the two from this tournament. Pakistan and Bangladesh will have roughly six weeks to finalize their 15‑player squads, with deadlines set for May 15 per ICC regulations.

Experts believe Pakistan’s momentum could translate into a strong World Cup showing, especially if they retain the core that dominated the qualifier. Bangladesh, on the other hand, may need to fine‑tune its middle‑order batting, which sputtered in the closing stages against West Indies.

Either way, the qualifier has rekindled interest in women’s cricket across the subcontinent, promising packed stadiums and higher TV ratings for the main event.

• Key Fact 1: Pakistan finished with a perfect 5‑0 record, 10 points, NRR +1.074.
• Key Fact 2: Bangladesh qualified on NRR +0.639, edging West Indies by 0.013.
• Key Fact 3: ICC participation fee per qualifying team: ~USD $1.5 million.
• Key Fact 4: ‘Team of the Tournament’ includes five Pakistani players.
• Key Fact 5: Final World Cup squads due by May 15, 2025.