ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 Qualifier: Here Are The Complete Squads Of All 6 Teams

As the cricketing spotlight shifts towards the subcontinent, anticipation builds for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. While six teams—Australia, India, England, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand—have already secured their tickets to the grand event, the journey for two remaining berths intensifies. From April 9 to 19, 2025, six competitive teams—Pakistan, West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland, and Thailand—will lock horns in a high-stakes qualifier tournament hosted in Lahore, Pakistan.

This qualifier isn’t just a stepping stone; it’s a battleground where pride, dreams, and years of preparation are at stake. With emerging stars and seasoned veterans ready to make their mark, this event promises enthralling cricket, fierce rivalries, and plenty of World Cup drama.

The Road to India: Understanding the Qualification Process

The ICC Women’s Championship 2022–25 laid the foundation for World Cup qualification. Each of the 10 competing teams fought through a series of bilateral ODI series, earning crucial points. At the end of the cycle, the top six teams—Australia, India (hosts), England, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand—automatically qualified for the World Cup.

However, the remaining four teams—Bangladesh, West Indies, Pakistan, and Ireland—find themselves in a precarious position. Despite a spirited campaign, they fell short of automatic qualification. They now face a second and final chance to book their tickets to India.

Joining them are Scotland and Thailand, the top-ranked sides in the ICC Women’s ODI Team Rankings outside the Championship teams. This sets the stage for a six-team round-robin tournament, where each team faces the others once. The top two teams at the end of the league will advance to the main event—the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.

Hosts with Hope: Pakistan’s Push for Glory

Pakistan, led by the passionate and ever-evolving Fatima Sana, will look to make the most of home conditions. Playing in front of local crowds at Gaddafi Stadium and the LCCA Ground in Lahore, Pakistan will hope to ride the home advantage all the way to India.

Their squad boasts experience in the likes of Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, and Diana Baig, coupled with the explosive talents of Muneeba Ali and rising stars like Shawaal Zulfiqar. Spin twins Nashra Sundhu and Sadia Iqbal will be crucial in exploiting the slow Pakistani surfaces, while the leadership of Fatima Sana—a seam-bowling all-rounder—adds balance to the squad.

With home backing and the hunger to return to World Cup cricket, Pakistan could be one of the dark horses to watch.

West Indies: Firepower and Flair

If experience and flair had a name, it would be the West Indies women’s team. Skippered by the charismatic Hayley Matthews, this team packs a punch with explosive batters and aggressive bowlers.

Matthews, alongside veteran Stafanie Taylor, forms the backbone of a squad that includes seasoned campaigners like Shemaine Campbelle, Chinelle Henry, and Afy Fletcher. The team’s athleticism, fielding brilliance, and match-winning abilities in crunch situations make them one of the strongest contenders.

While consistency has occasionally been their Achilles’ heel, the West Indies’ ability to turn a game on its head in mere overs makes them a genuine threat to every team in this tournament.

Bangladesh: Redemption Run

Bangladesh were within touching distance of direct qualification, finishing level on points with New Zealand in the ICC Women’s Championship. However, fewer wins cost them dearly. That heartbreak now fuels a team hungry for redemption.

Captain Nigar Sultana Joty leads a squad with a potent bowling attack. Left-arm spinner Nahida Akter, teenage pace sensation Marufa Akter, and experienced campaigners like Fahima Khatun and Ritu Moni add variety and depth.

With a maturing batting lineup that includes the likes of Sharmin Akter, Sobhana Mostary, and the stylish Farzana Haque, Bangladesh will be determined to make amends and prove their worth on the world stage.

Ireland: The Emerald Fighters

Ireland, under the youthful but capable leadership of Gaby Lewis, enter the qualifiers with quiet determination. The team may lack headline stars, but it compensates with unity, energy, and a fearless approach to cricket.

Ireland’s biggest strength lies in its talented all-rounders—Orla Prendergast, Laura Delany, and Arlene Kelly—who can swing games with both bat and ball. Wicketkeeper-batter Amy Hunter, still in her teens, is already a breakout star, while Leah Paul and Cara Murray provide balance with spin and seam.

Don’t be surprised if Ireland pulls off a few surprises—they’re here to do more than just participate.

Scotland: Bryce and Beyond

Scotland returns to the international spotlight, led by the supremely talented Kathryn Bryce. Arguably one of the best all-rounders outside the full-member nations, Bryce will be Scotland’s beacon both on and off the field.

She’s joined by her sister Sarah Bryce, a sharp wicketkeeper and dependable top-order batter. The squad includes familiar names like Abtaha Maqsood, Priyanaz Chatterji, and exciting youth talents like Darcey Carter and Katherine Fraser.

With limited exposure to top-tier competition, Scotland might be underdogs—but with leadership, spinners suited to subcontinent pitches, and hunger to compete, they could rattle more fancied opponents.

Thailand: Spin and Strategy

Thailand’s rise in women’s cricket has been one of the most compelling stories of the past decade. Their maiden ODI series win over the Netherlands and their spirited performances in the T20 World Cup have made them fan favorites.

Captain Naruemol Chaiwai leads a highly disciplined and crafty team, built around spin, agility, and strategy. The talismanic Natthakan Chantham, alongside Nattaya Boochatham, Suleeporn Laomi, and Chanida Sutthiruang, provide match-winning experience.

Thailand might lack pace but make up for it with their extraordinary spin bowling depth and precision. Don’t be surprised if they cause some serious upsets.

Lahore Awaits: A Festival of Women’s Cricket

This tournament isn’t just about qualification—it’s about legacy. Lahore, with its historic venues, will host all 15 matches, marking the first time that the LCCA Ground will stage an international women’s event. The return of major women’s international cricket to Pakistan is symbolic—of growth, inclusivity, and the rising stature of the women’s game.

Matches at Gaddafi Stadium, under the floodlights and roaring crowds, could offer unforgettable moments. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has promised free entry for fans, aiming to create an electric atmosphere throughout the tournament.

Fixtures to Watch Out For

April 9: Pakistan vs Ireland (Gaddafi Stadium)
April 9: West Indies vs Scotland (LCCA Ground)
April 13: Pakistan vs West Indies – a potential blockbuster
April 15: Bangladesh vs West Indies – could decide a World Cup spot
April 19: Final Round – possible virtual knockouts

Each fixture carries World Cup implications. Momentum, net run rate, and handling pressure could define who punches their ticket to India.

What’s at Stake

Beyond the statistics and rankings lies a deeper truth. For many of these cricketers, a spot in the World Cup isn’t just about playing in India later this year—it’s a validation of years of struggle, training, sacrifice, and belief.

For the cricketing world, the qualifier is a testament to the sport’s growing global reach. Teams like Thailand and Scotland, once distant observers, now stand shoulder-to-shoulder with legacy nations. This is the new face of women’s cricket—diverse, determined, and dazzling.

Final Thoughts: Who Will Make It?

Predicting the top two is no easy task. West Indies and Pakistan may seem like favorites on paper, but Bangladesh’s consistency, Ireland’s firepower, Thailand’s guile, and Scotland’s resolve could rewrite the script.

Whatever happens, one thing is guaranteed: cricket fans are in for ten days of quality, heart-pounding women’s cricket. The battle lines are drawn, the teams are ready—and the world is watching.

Let the qualifier begin.

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