Aliya, Muneeba power Pakistan to second consecutive win

Muneeba Ali and Aliya Riaz batted extremely well to shepherd Pakistan to their second successive victory when they defeated Scotland by six wickets in the 2025 ICC Women World Cup Qualifiers at the LCCA Ground on Friday.

After the game was reduced to 32 overs a side due to wet outfield, Fatima Sana, the right-armer, led from the front and took 4-23 in five overs to restrict Scotland to 186-9 with skipper Cathryn Bryce scoring 91.

Muneeba Ali (71) and Aliya Riaz (68 not out) then demonstrated their fine batting skills by hitting solid fifties to enable Pakistan to achieve the target in 30.4 overs after losing four wickets in the process.

The win took Pakistan to four points at the summit. From the six-team event top two nations will qualify for the ODI World Cup which would be hosted by India later this year.

Set to achieve a tricky target, Pakistan had a poor start as they lost two early wickets. However, Muneeba Ali and Aliya Riaz did a fine job and shared 93 runs for the third wicket association to put Pakistan on the right track.

Muneeba, who was dismissed by Chloe Abel, hit nine fours and one six in her 71-ball knock.

Aliya, who had also hit fifty in her previous game against Ireland, stood like a rock and hit a few fine strokes towards the end of the innings and made her side comfortably home with eight balls to spare.

Aliya smashed seven fours and one six in her 70-ball 68 not out.

Chloe Abel was the pick of the bowlers with 2-42 while Rachel Slatter and Katherine Fraser got one wicket apiece.

Earlier, after winning a good toss following an early morning rain, Pakistan were able to remove openers Abbi Aitken-Drummond (1) and Pippa Sproul (9) early.

At this stage skipper Kathryn Bryce shouldered the responsibility and batted till the end to guide her side to a seemingly competitive total in the end.

Bryce, who scored fine 91, struck one six and ten fours in her 96-ball knock.

She added 51 runs for the third wicket stand with Sara Bryce (21) and 55 for the fourth wicket partnership with Ailsa Lister who chipped in with a 24-ball 31 which featured five fours.

Fatima Sana was ably backed by left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal who captured 2-43 in seven overs.

Diana Baig and Nashra Sandhu got one wicket each.

Aliya Riaz was declared as the player of the match for her splendid batting exploits.

Top two teams from the six-team qualifiers will make it to the World Cup.