Scotland’s loss to Ireland (April 18) in the 2025 Women’s World Cup Qualifier ended their hopes for the main event, setting up a Bangladesh-West Indies showdown for the last spot.
After Pakistan’s fourth win on the trot sealed their place as the seventh team in the Women’s World Cup 2025, Scotland were among the three teams who were in with a chance to grab the remaining one spot before. To stay alive in the race, their first task was to secure a big win in their last match against Ireland, who were already eliminated alongside bottom-placed Thailand. Much to their dismay, they went down in a closely fought encounter, losing by one wicket and consequently crashing out of the race.
Batting first, Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce scored an unbeaten 137-ball 131 – the highest individual score in the tournament’s history and a record for Scotland in Women’s ODIs – powering her team to 268-7. Ireland’s chase was set up by openers Sarah Forbes (55) and captain Gaby Lewis (61), who put on 109 for the first wicket. Despite Scotland’s fightback, Laura Delany’s unbeaten 57 guided Ireland to a last-ball win. Notably, Scotland would have been eliminated even if the match had been tied, as the tournament’s playing conditions omit Super Overs. A tie would have left them with five points, one short of second-placed Bangladesh.
And that's it - Murray and Delany scamper through off the final ball...
— Ireland Women’s Cricket (@IrishWomensCric) April 18, 2025
We beat Scotland by one wicket!
📝 SCORECARD: https://t.co/ZD5gn2QKzn
📗 FAN GUIDE: https://t.co/6mUEDopwOX#BackingGreen #FuelledByCerta ☘️🏏 pic.twitter.com/IBKJzDvDS8
The result leaves only two teams – Bangladesh and West Indies – in the race for the eighth 2025 Women's World Cup spot.
Who will play whom next?
April 19, Saturday: Pakistan vs Bangladesh (Day), Lahore City Cricket Association
April 19, Saturday: West Indies vs Thailand (Day/Night), Gaddafi Stadium
How can Bangladesh qualify for the 2025 Women's World Cup from here on?
Bangladesh have been the tournament’s second-most consistent team after Pakistan, as reflected by their second-place position on the points table. Their only defeat in four matches came against the West Indies on Friday (April 17).
A win against Pakistan would guarantee their spot in the 2025 Women’s World Cup. Even a washout would secure them seven points – out of West Indies’ reach, as the latter can only reach six points with a win over Thailand.
A loss will not necessarily eliminate Bangladesh either, thanks to their commanding net run-rate (+1.033) compared to West Indies’ (-0.283).
For them to exit the competition would require a 250-run swing in total – for example of Bangladesh lose to Pakistan by 100 runs and West Indies beat Thailand by 150 runs, or any other combination of margins that adds up to 250.
For reference, the equivalent margin to 150 runs when chasing in this scenario is completing a chase in 20 overs, give or take (exact margins depend on the target).
How can the West Indies qualify?
First, the West Indies must secure a victory against Thailand – anything less (even a washout or tie) will eliminate them. Second, they need a dominant win to overcome their net run-rate (NRR) deficit. Their relatively narrow winning margins, coupled with their opening defeat to Scotland, and a 65-run defeat to Pakistan, have severely dented their NRR.
The silver lining? Their final match is against the tournament’s weakest team, Thailand, which begins later on the same day as the Bangladesh-Pakistan clash.
If Pakistan defeat Bangladesh, West Indies will have the advantage of being aware of their NRR requirements midway through the match.
That does not make their task easy, though. As mentioned before, West Indies will need a roughly 250-run swing in order to pip Bangladesh to second place.
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