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Ireland Women will face West Indies Women in Match 5 of the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Friday. Both teams come into this clash after suffering defeats in their opening matches—West Indies Women falling short against Scotland Women by 12 runs and Ireland Women losing to Pakistan Women by 38 runs. With both sides desperate for a win to stay alive in the competition, this promises to be a fiercely contested encounter. Historically, West Indies Women hold the upper hand, having not lost to Ireland Women since 2003. However, Ireland Women’s spirited bowling performance and glimpses of batting potential make them a team to watch.
Match Details Table
| Match | Ireland Women vs West Indies Women |
|---|---|
| Date & Time | [Insert Date], [Insert Time] |
| Venue | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| Format | One Day International (ODI) |
| Competition | ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2025 |
Teams Preview
Ireland Women Preview
Ireland Women showed glimpses of promise despite their loss to Pakistan Women. Their top order, led by Gaby Lewis (44) and Amy Hunter (44), laid a solid foundation, while Orla Prendergast contributed 37 runs. However, the middle and lower order failed to capitalize, leading to their collapse.
Their bowling unit impressed, with Jane Maguire claiming 3 wickets for 33 runs, supported by Arlene Kelly and Cara Murray, who took two wickets each. The Irish bowlers adapted well to the sluggish pitch and will look to replicate their accuracy against West Indies Women.
For Ireland to turn things around, they need contributions from Laura Delany, Sarah Forbes, and Coulter Reilly. A collective effort is essential if they are to challenge West Indies Women’s dominance.
West Indies Women Preview
West Indies Women squandered a golden opportunity against Scotland Women, despite Hayley Matthews’ heroic unbeaten 114. Only Zaida James (45) provided meaningful support, exposing the fragility of their batting lineup. Shemaine Campbelle and Stafanie Taylor must step up and share responsibility with Matthews.
With the ball, Matthews was once again the standout performer, taking 4 wickets for 56 runs. Aaliyah Alleyne and Karishma Ramharack chipped in with two wickets apiece, but the new-ball bowlers struggled to make early inroads.
West Indies Women rely heavily on Matthews’ all-round brilliance, but others must rise to the occasion to avoid another upset.
Favourite Team to Win Today’s Match
| Team | Reasons |
|---|---|
| West Indies Women | Strong head-to-head record, match-winning abilities of Hayley Matthews, and superior depth in batting and bowling departments give them the edge. |
Fantasy Team XI
| Player Name | Role | Points Potential |
|---|---|---|
| Gaby Lewis (IRE-W) | Opener/Bowler | High |
| Amy Hunter (IRE-W) | Top Order Bat/WK | Medium-High |
| Hayley Matthews (WI-W) | All-Rounder | Very High |
| Shemaine Campbelle | Middle Order Bat | High |
| Orla Prendergast | All-Rounder | Medium |
| Jane Maguire (IRE-W) | Bowler | Very High |
| Aaliyah Alleyne (WI-W) | Bowler | High |
| Arlene Kelly (IRE-W) | Bowler | Medium-High |
| Chinelle Henry (WI-W) | All-Rounder | Medium-High |
| Leah Paul (IRE-W) | Bowler | Medium |
| Karishma Ramharack | Spinner | High |
Explanation: This fantasy team balances both sides’ strengths, focusing on high-impact players like Hayley Matthews, Jane Maguire, and Gaby Lewis. Spinners and pace bowlers are included to exploit varying pitch conditions.
Suggested Captains and Vice-Captains
- Captain: Hayley Matthews (WI-W) – For her consistent all-round performances and ability to single-handedly change the course of the game.
- Vice-Captain: Jane Maguire (IRE-W) – Her economical bowling and knack for picking up wickets make her a reliable choice.
Players to Avoid
- Avoid: Coulter Reilly (IRE-W) – Limited impact in recent games.
- Avoid: Zaida James (WI-W) – Struggled to deliver breakthroughs or significant runs consistently.
Probable Playing XIs
| Ireland Women | West Indies Women |
|---|---|
| Sarah Forbes | Hayley Matthews (c) |
| Gaby Lewis (c) | Qiana Joseph |
| Amy Hunter (wk) | Shemaine Campbelle (wk) |
| Orla Prendergast | Stafanie Taylor |
| Laura Delany | Chinelle Henry |
| Leah Paul | Shabika Gajnabi |
| Coulter Reilly | Zaida James |
| Louise Little | Aaliyah Alleyne |
| Arlene Kelly | Cherry Ann Fraser |
| Jane Maguire | Afy Fletcher |
| Cara Murray | Karishma Ramharack |
Pitch Report
Gaddafi Stadium offers a firm surface with noticeable cracks, aiding spinners as the game progresses. Morning moisture may assist pacers early on, but batters who survive the initial phase can score freely. Expect a par score of 230-245 runs.
Toss Prediction
Batting first seems advantageous, given the pitch tends to slow down in the second innings. West Indies Women are likely to win the toss and opt to bat.
Winner Prediction
West Indies Women are favorites to win due to their superior firepower and historical dominance over Ireland Women. However, Ireland Women’s bowlers could pose challenges.
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