Fatima Sana Appointed Captain of 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup Qualifiers Team
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Synopsis
Pakistan's Fatima Sana has been appointed the captain of the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup qualifiers team of the tournament by the ICC. Joining her are players from Pakistan, Bangladesh, West Indies, and Scotland.
Key Takeaways
- Fatima Sana leads the 2025 Women's ODI qualifiers team.
- Notable players include Muneeba Ali and Nashra Sandhu.
- The team features top scorers and wicket-takers from the tournament.
- Bansladesh and West Indies players prominently represented.
- Kathryn Bryce named Player of the Tournament.
New Delhi, April 20 (NationPress) Fast-bowling all-rounder and captain of Pakistan, Fatima Sana, has been named the leader of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup qualifiers team of the tournament, as announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday.
Joining her from the Pakistan squad are Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sandhu, and Sadia Iqbal, in a team that includes the hosts, as well as Bangladesh, both of whom have secured their spots for the ODI World Cup scheduled later this year in India.
The team also features Hayley Matthews, captain of the West Indies, along with all-rounders Chinelle Henry and Aaliyah Alleyne, as well as Nigar Sultana and Sharmin Akhter from Bangladesh. Completing the lineup are Scotland's Katherine Fraser and Kathryn Bryce, with Rabeya Khan from Bangladesh designated as the 12th player.
Muneeba contributed 223 runs, with notable half-centuries against both Scotland and Bangladesh, earning her a spot as one of the openers alongside Hayley, who scored an unbeaten century in a losing effort against Scotland.
She concluded the competition by achieving the second-fastest half-century in women's ODI history against Thailand, reaching the milestone in just 21 deliveries, finishing with a remarkable 29-ball 70. Hayley, aged 27, also led the wicket-taking charts with 13 wickets, including four-wicket hauls against Scotland and Ireland.
Sharmin was selected for her consistency, amassing half-centuries against Thailand (94 not out), Scotland (57), and the West Indies (67), totaling 266 runs at an average of 66.5. Following her is the tournament’s leading run-scorer and Player of the Tournament, Kathryn, who recorded scores of 91 against Pakistan, 60 against Thailand, and a stunning 131 not out against Ireland, marking her first ODI century.
Kathryn also secured six wickets throughout the tournament, while Nigar took on the wicketkeeping responsibilities after playing a crucial role in three victories that saw Bangladesh advance to the main event, with scores of 101, 51, and 83 not out.
Chinelle achieved scores of 46 not out against Ireland and 51 not out against Bangladesh, and displayed a powerful performance with five sixes in a phenomenal 17-ball 48 during the win over Thailand. In contrast, Aaliyah claimed 12 wickets, including four for 39 against Bangladesh, outshining both Katherine and Nashra.
Katherine made three-wicket hauls against both the West Indies and Thailand, contributing with valuable runs, while Nashra took wickets in every match, including three each against Ireland and Thailand.
Sadia earned her place after taking nine wickets at an average of 16.22 and maintaining an economy rate of just 3.84 runs per over. Rabeya, who secured three wickets in Bangladesh's crucial win over Ireland and a total of six wickets, was selected as the 12th player.
2025 Women’s ODI World Cup Qualifiers Team of the Tournament: Hayley Matthews (West Indies), Muneeba Ali (Pakistan), Sharmin Akhter (Bangladesh), Kathryn Bryce (Scotland), Nigar Sultana (Bangladesh, wk), Fatima Sana (Pakistan, captain), Chinelle Henry (West Indies), Aaliyah Alleyne (West Indies), Katherine Fraser (Scotland), Nashra Sandhu (Pakistan), Sadia Iqbal (Pakistan), and Rabeya Khan (Bangladesh, 12th Player).
