West Indies Women Secure Decisive Victory over Thailand

The West Indies women’s cricket team faced a heartbreaking exit from the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup qualifiers despite a valiant effort against Thailand in their final match. Needing a significantly boosted net run rate (NRR) to surpass Bangladesh, the West Indies chased a steep target of 167 in a mere 10.1 overs. While they successfully reached the target, achieving victory in 10.5 overs ultimately proved insufficient, leaving them agonizingly close to qualification. This narrow miss resulted from a complex interplay of run rates and a nail-biting finish that extinguished the West Indies’ World Cup hopes.

The match began with Thailand setting a target of 167 after being bowled out in 46.1 overs. While the West Indies initially aimed to restrict Thailand to a lower score, a late surge by Natthakan Chantham, who scored a resilient 66, propelled the Thai team to a total that proved just beyond the West Indies’ reach in terms of NRR. Despite Afy Fletcher’s impressive bowling figures of 4 for 20, and contributions from Alleyne and Munisar, the West Indies conceded what, in retrospect, were crucial runs, ultimately hindering their qualification chances.

The West Indies’ chase was a whirlwind of boundaries and aggressive batting, spearheaded by Captain Hayley Matthews and Qiana Joseph. Matthews delivered a blistering knock of 70 runs off just 29 balls, an innings punctuated by eleven fours and two sixes. Joseph provided valuable support, scoring 26 before being dismissed. Together, they set a frantic pace, amassing runs at a remarkable rate and keeping the required NRR within reach for a significant portion of the innings.

However, despite the explosive start, the required run rate continued to exert immense pressure. Following Matthews’ dismissal, Chinelle Henry kept the West Indies’ hopes flickering with a rapid 48, forging a crucial partnership with Shemaine Campbelle. Yet, the loss of wickets, including a run-out, and the sheer pace required to achieve the target began to take its toll. The equation ultimately came down to an improbable scenario: needing 21 runs from the final three balls of the 10th over.

While Stafanie Taylor managed to strike a six, it arrived too late, sealing the West Indies’ fate. They finished on 168 for 4 in 10.5 overs, winning the match but falling short of the required NRR. Their final NRR of 0.626 was tantalizingly close to Bangladesh’s 0.639, highlighting the fine margins that ultimately decided their World Cup destiny. The team’s disappointment was palpable, having come so close to achieving their goal despite a spirited and high-scoring performance.

The West Indies women’s journey in the World Cup qualifiers concluded with a mixture of pride and regret. While they showcased their batting prowess and fighting spirit, the narrow miss against Thailand, coupled with Bangladesh’s earlier victory against Pakistan, brought their campaign to a premature end. The tournament served as a stark reminder of the crucial role of net run rate in deciding close contests and the fine margins that can separate success from heartbreak in international cricket.