Fatima Sana’s all-round brilliance seals Pakistan’s ODI World Cup spot

Skipper Fatima Sana led from the front with both bat and ball to enable Pakistan to qualify for this year's ICC Women's ODI World Cup by demolishing Thailand by 87 runs in their fourth game of the qualifiers at Lahore on Thursday night.

This was the fourth straight win for the hosts and they now still have a game against Bangladesh in hand with the major job already done.

Sidra Amin (80), as usual, did a terrific job and was ably assisted by her captain Sana with a fine 62 not out as Pakistan posted 205-6 in the allotted 50 overs.

Sana, Nashra Sandhu and Rameen Shamim then picked three wickets each to dismiss Thailand for only 118 in the 35th over.

After opting to bat first at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan had an extremely poor start and at one stage were reduced to 85-4 in the 32nd over.

However, then skipper Sana came to the rescue of her side and along with Sidra added 97 runs for the fifth wicket association to boost Pakistan's total.

Thipatcha Putthawong broke the partnership when she had Sidra in the 48th over who had already done her fine job. This was Sidra's third fifty in the event so far. She scored it off 78 balls and also hit delightful nine fours in her 105-ball knock.

Sana, whose fifty came off just 53 balls, stayed till the end. She smashed six fours and a six in her 59-ball unbeaten brilliant effort.

Putthawong, the left-arm spinner, was the pick of the bowlers with 2-37 in her quota of ten overs.

Phannita Maya (1-19) and Onnicha Kamchomphu )1-39) were the other successful bowlers.

In response, Thailand's batters did not resist much as was expected and were skittled out for 118 in the 35th over.

Nannapat Koncharoenkai (19), opener Nattaya Boochatham (16) and Suwanan Khiaoto (15) were the notable contributors.

Sana, the pacewoman, bowled with a lot of energy and got 3-39 in eight overs. Meanwhile both spinners Rameen Shamim (3-18 in 7.4 overs) and Nashra (3-19 in 8) also exploited the conditions to rock Thailand within no time.

Sana was adjudged as the player of the match for her fine all-round display.

Pakistan now lead the table with eight points from four games.

Bangladesh trail second with six points from four meetings. Scotland and West Indies have four points each from four games each.

Today Scotland meet Ireland while tomorrow Bangladesh will face Pakistan and West Indies lock horns with Thailand. West Indies and Scotland will need big wins and they also would hope that Bangladesh lose their game against Pakistan badly.

One team will qualify from these three as there are total two slots.

The ICC Women's ODI World Cup is scheduled in India latter this year.