Pakistan Women vs Ireland Women: Confident Ireland Gears Up for World Cup Qualifier Clash: 🏏
As the road to the 2025 ICC Women's ODI World Cup heats up, Ireland Women’s Cricket Team is all set to face Pakistan Women in their opening match of the six-team qualifier tournament beginning 9th April in Pakistan.
In a recent statement, Ireland captain Gaby Lewis shared that the team is entering the tournament with strong confidence and determination. With recent warm-up matches and a successful training camp in Dubai, the Irish women are aiming to make a strong statement in their World Cup journey.
📅 Tournament Overview
The ODI World Cup Qualifier features six teams:
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Pakistan
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Ireland
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West Indies
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Bangladesh
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Thailand
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Scotland
These teams will compete in a round-robin format, and the top two teams will earn a spot in the prestigious 2025 ODI World Cup, scheduled for September in India.
💬 Ireland's Captain Gaby Lewis Speaks
“We’re feeling very confident going into this qualifier. We had a great training camp in Dubai and worked hard to acclimatise to the heat,”
said Gaby Lewis, speaking ahead of the much-anticipated Pakistan Women vs Ireland Women clash.
She emphasized the importance of enjoying the game, trusting the team's aggressive playing style, and not placing too much pressure on themselves.
📊 Squad Updates & Key Players
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Amy Hunter and Jane Maguire return from injury.
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Kia McCartney earns her maiden call-up to the national squad.
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All-rounder Laura Delany impressed during warm-ups with back-to-back half-centuries and is expected to play a pivotal role.
Lewis added:
“Laura has been brilliant over the last 12 months and has already shown great form with both bat and ball in the warm-up games. She’ll be a huge asset in this qualifier.”
🏏 Warm-Up Matches Recap
Before facing Pakistan, Ireland played warm-up matches against:
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West Indies Women
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Thailand Women
The team showcased solid performance, with Delany shining as the top performer, adding depth and confidence to Ireland's lineup.
🏆 Ireland's Mission: Back to the World Cup
Ireland has not qualified for the Women’s ODI World Cup since 2005, making this qualifier not just a tournament, but a mission to return to the grandest stage of international women's cricket.
With a young, talented squad, strategic preparation, and a positive mindset, Ireland looks well-poised to challenge favorites like Pakistan Women, and possibly emerge among the top two qualifiers.
📌 Match Preview: Pakistan Women vs Ireland Women
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Date: Wednesday, 9 April 2025
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Format: Round-Robin
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Venue: Pakistan
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Focus: A strong start could build momentum for both sides in this crucial qualifier.
News Source: https://www.bbc.com/