By Ravendra Madholall

West Indies’ mixed fortune at the 2025 International Cricket Council 50-overs World Cup Qualifier continued after they suffered a 65-run drubbing at the hands of hosts Pakistan on Monday.

It was their third game and now have a win and two defeats putting themselves in a tough position to make it to the marquee tournament later this year in India.

West Indies, who lost to Scotland in the opener, bounced back to beat Ireland before this loss to the unbeaten Pakistanis.

The Caribbean women still have a chance though, as they will face Bangladesh in their next fixture on Thursday before pulling down the curtains Sunday against less-fancied Thailand.

Having justified the decision to bat first Pakistan progressed to a respectable 191 all out in the 50th over before bowling out the visitors for 126 off 39.2 overs.

West Indies’ innings began calamitously after in-form skipper Hayley Matthews was given out leg-before the very first-ball for a duck.

Captain and seamer Fatima Sana led from the front with 3-16 from 7 tight overs on a responsive pitch.

Aaliyah Allen gave the innings a late flourish but by then the Pakistani women were had taken total control. Allen scored 22 while Shabika Gajnabi fought hard for 21. The dependable and Jamaican Stafanie Taylor also failed in this colossal clash with 17.

Supporting the outstanding Sana were Rameena Shamin (2-26) and Nashra Sandru (2-31).

Earlier, the hosts also suffered an early blow to their innings with Gull Feoza (02) departing at 6-1, but top-scorer Sidra Amin and ace player Munneba Ali restored the innings with an impressive, 47-run second-wicket stand.

There was a middle-order collapse when Afy Fletcher removed Ali via the leg-before route, but other batters were able to keep the momentum going.

Amin struck four fours and batted for 94 balls while Ali contributed an important 33.

Matthews, with her off-spinner, took 2-30 from her maximum ten overs while Fletcher and Karishma Ramharack also picking up a pair of wickets.

The two top teams will qualify.

Pakistan and West Indies in action