LAHORE – Caribbean cricket fans are breathing a bit easier on Thursday as their beloved West Indies Women kept their faint 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup qualification hopes alive following a hard-fought three-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Lahore, Pakistan.
Chasing 228, the Caribbean side held their nerve to reach 228-7 in 46 overs, propelled by Chinelle Henry’s unbeaten half-century and a stellar all-round performance from Player of the Match Aaliyah Alleyne.
Earlier, Bangladesh posted a competitive total of 227-9, on the back of a 94-run second-wicket partnership between Sharmin Akhter who made 67 and Fargana Hoque, 42.
The Windies bowlers started the contest well with the ball, as Henry found the outside edge of opener Sobhana Mostary, who was snapped up by wicket-keeper Shemaine Campbelle for six, with just 16 runs on the board.
But that wicket brought in Akter, who joined Hoque and the pair batted to the 28th over before Hoque was caught and bowled by Alleyne for 42 from 78 balls, with Bangladesh well perched at 134 for two.
In the same over, Allyne produced a peach of a delivery that knocked over the stumps of Akter, who was looking good on 67
However, continued disciplined bowling from Alleyne, along with Afy Fletcher 2-43, and Hayley Matthews 2-42, restricted their opponents late in the innings. Allyne picked up the last wicket of the innings to finish with 4-39 from nine overs.
In reply, the West Indies built their chase on steady contributions as opener Qiana Joseph got the ball rolling with a brisk 31 from 39 balls, which provided early momentum.
The Windies would lose three wickets by the 17th over with the score on 74, but Veteran Stafanie Taylor with 36 and captain Matthews, 33, steadied the innings with a 66-run fourth-wicket stand.
The pair would fall within seven runs of each other, which then saw Henry take control in the tense final stages. The Jamaican first partnered with Shabika Gajnabi, who made 20 and then Alleyne 11 to steer the team home.
Fletcher sealed the win with a single in the 46th over, with Henry not out on a well-played 51 from 48 balls with five fours and two sixes.
Despite the victory, the West Indies’ path to the World Cup remains uncertain. With two wins and two losses in the qualifiers, they must win their final group match against Thailand decisively and rely on other results to secure one of the two World Cup spots up for grabs.
Summarised scores
BANGLADESH WOMEN 227-9 in 50 overs (Sharmin Akhter 67, Fargana Hoque 42; Aaliyah Alleyne 4-39, Hayley Matthews 2-42, Afy Fletcher 2-43).
WEST INDIES WOMEN 228-7 in 46 overs (Chinelle Henry 51 not out, Stafanie Taylor 36, Hayley Matthews 33, Qiana Joseph 31; Marufa Akter 2-38).
West Indies Women won by three wickets.
CMC
