On the final day of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier in Lahore, Hayley Matthews led an incredible chase against Thailand, putting her back in the top five of the ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings.
The West Indies captain has risen two spots to fifth place, just one spot below her career-best fourth position at the beginning of the competition. She was named Player of the Match for her explosive 70 off 29 that helped her team win by six wickets with 235 balls remaining.
However, with a net run rate that was 0.013 below that of Bangladesh, the second-place team behind hosts Pakistan, the victory was insufficient to earn the West Indies a spot at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, which India will host.
In addition to her teammates Amy Hunter (up seven spots to 27th), Orla Prendergast (up four places to 31st), Laura Delany (up four places to 40th), and Leah Paul (up four places to 42nd), Ireland’s Gaby Lewis made a comeback to the top 20 with scores of 75 against Thailand and 61 against Scotland, moving her five spots to 17th place.
After scoring 80 against Thailand and 33 against Bangladesh, Sidra Amin of Pakistan moved up from 23rd to 18th place, while Muneeba Ali, the opener for her team, reached a career-high 30th place. In the most recent weekly update, Sharmin Akhter of Bangladesh also achieved a career-high 21st ranking.
Left-arm spinners Sadia Iqbal of Pakistan and Nahida Akter of Bangladesh have both improved significantly in the bowling rankings. Sadia has advanced five spots to 17th rank, while Nahida, who bagged four for 40 against Scotland, has moved up two spots to 10th.
Afy Fletcher of the West Indies has obtained a career-best-equalling 21st position following hauls of four for 20 versus Thailand and two for 43 against Bangladesh while another leg spinner, Rabeya Khan of Bangladesh, is up one place behind her in 22nd position, after inching up one slot.
Other players to climb the ranks include Ireland’s Prendergast (up seven spots to 43rd), Pakistan’s captain Fatima Sana (up five spots to 27th), Diana Baig (up three spots to 35th), and Karishma Ramharack of the West Indies (up five spots to 25th).
In the all-rounders’ rankings, Prendergast and Fatima have also improved, rising to joint-15th and 11th place, respectively.
India
