Women's World Cup Archives

Shafali, Deepti lead India to Women’s World Cup glory

NAVI MUMBAI: Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma’s all-round brilliance helped India beat South Africa and seal the maiden ICC Women’s World Cup title.

Set a stiff 299, South Africa crumbled under pressure and were bowled out for 246 in 45.3 overs.

Tazmin Brits and skipper Laura Wolvaardt started strong with a half-century partnership that culminated with the former’s wicket, courtesy of a brilliant direct hit from Amanjot Kaur.

She made 23 from 35 with the help of two fours and a six.

India took another wicket in a short span, removing Anneke Bosch for a duck, which put them on top. However, it was Wolvaardt, who stood in their way, forging a string of partnerships with the middle-order batters that kept South Africa’s scorecard ticking.

She added 52 with Sune Luus and Annerie Dercksen that kept them alive in the contest. But, Shafali Verma had another plans as she picked two crucial wickets of Luss and Kapp, which left the Proteas reeling.

Despite the wickets tumbing around her, Wolvaardt stood firm and notched up a century.

However, once she fell after scoring 101 from 98, laced with 11 fours and a six, South Africa’s innings derailed from 220-7 to 246 all-out and eventually India a historic victory.

The star of bowling was Deepti Sharma, who picked up a five-wicket haul in 9.3 overs.

Earlier, Shafali Verma set the tone with 87 from 78 before Deepti Sharma’s brisk half-century and Richa Ghosh’s cameo propelled India to a strong total.

Put into bat first after a two-hour rain delay, India piled up 298-7 in their 50 overs.

Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma forged a century stand for the opening wicket, adding 104 in 17.4 overs. Both batters capitalized on the lightning-fast outfield and accelerated the scoring rate with a flurry of boundaries.

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The Proteas got a sigh of relief when Smriti Mandhana was caught behind off.
Chloe Tryon’s bowling. She made 45 off 58 balls, studded with eight boundaries.

Meanwhile, Verma continued on and reached her half-century on 49 balls. Despite the wicket, South Africa could not stem the scoring rate as previous match centurion Jemima Rodrigues and Verma paired up for a 62-run stand.

The duo brought the team’s total to 166 in 27.5 overs. At this moment, the hosts were cruising; however, they were jolted by the prized wicket of Shafali Verma, who missed out on her century. She struck seven fours and two sixes in her knock.

The highlight of the Indian innings was the partnership despite South Africa making a strong comeback in the second half of the innings. Jemimah Rodrigues followed Verma after making 24 from 37 balls.

Consequently, India were 171-3 in 29.4 overs. South Africa did well to restrict India under 300 with wickets in the 30th to 40th overs.

Yet, Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh ensured that their side did not lose plot, adding a 47 from just 35 for the sixth wicket partnership.

Sharma was run out on the final ball of the innings, scoring runs in a ball 58 with the help of a six and three boundaries, while Gosh scored 34 from 24, including three fours and two sixes.

For South Africa, Ayabonga Khaka remained the pick of the bowling, bagging three wickets in her nine overs.

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India-Pakistan World Cup clash becomes most-watched women’s match in history

The Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan has become the most-watched women’s cricket match of all time across digital platforms, the ICC confirmed on Thursday.

The October 5 encounter, one of the most anticipated fixtures of the tournament, recorded an extraordinary 28.4 million reach and 1.87 billion total minutes viewed, setting an unprecedented global benchmark for women’s sport viewership.

According to ICC data, the India-Pakistan showdown wasn’t an isolated spike, as the entire first half of the World Cup’s league stage has witnessed record-breaking engagement across both digital and broadcast mediums.

The opening 11 matches, featuring marquee teams like India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and South Africa, collectively reached 72 million viewers, representing a 166% surge compared to the previous edition.

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Viewing minutes soared by an astonishing 327%, totaling 6.3 billion minutes.

Even the early phase of the competition surpassed expectations, with the first 13 matches amassing over 60 million viewers, five times more than in 2022, and an aggregate 7 billion minutes of watch time, a twelve-fold increase.

While stadium attendance has been mixed, with sellout crowds for games involving India and Sri Lanka and thinner turnouts for neutral fixtures, the surge in global engagement underscores the tournament’s growing impact and popularity.

Adding to the record spree, the India vs Australia league encounter on October 12 reached 4.8 million peak concurrent viewers, setting another all-time high for women’s cricket.

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Women’s World Cup: Persistent rain washes out Sri Lanka-New Zealand clash

COLOMBO: The continuous downpours at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Tuesday forced the abandonment of the 15th fixture of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 between Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

The match was abandoned after the innings break due to continuous drizzle that prevented play from happening.

Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka posted a competitive 258-6 in their 50 overs.

Openers Chamari Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne laid a solid foundation with a 101-run stand, with the former notching up her 20th ODI fifty on 72 balls, while Gunaratne made 42 from 83 with the aid of three fours.

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Sri Lanka batted comfortably until the 40th over as New Zealand made a roaring comeback with quick wickets. As a result, Sri Lanka went from 183-3 to 198-5 in 42.4 overs.

However, it was Nilakshika Silva’s brisk knock at No. 6 that carried them to a strong total.

She struck seven fours and a six on her way to 55 from just 28 balls, also scoring the fastest fifty of the tournament.

For New Zealand, Sophie Devine starred with the ball, picking up three wickets in her nine overs.

Playing XIs

New Zealand XI: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (capt), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Eden Carson, Bree Illing.

Sri Lanka XI: Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshita Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Piumi Wathsala, Sugandika Kumari, Malki Madara, Inoka Ranaweera

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BCCI official says ‘no assurance’ of handshake in India–Pakistan Women’s WC clash

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has said that there is no assurance of a handshake between India and Pakistan during their ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 clash, scheduled for Sunday, October 5.

The recently concluded Asia Cup came under the spotlight after India violated the spirit of the game and avoided handshakes with the Pakistan team in all three meetings during the tournament.

Moreover, after defeating Pakistan in the final, they snubbed the presentation ceremony and refused to receive the trophy from ACC President Mohsin Naqvi.

With Pakistan and India are set to collide again in the ICC Women’s CWC on October 05, the question everyone is now asking is whether the women’s team follows their Men’s team’s footsteps at the ICC event.

Now, Saika has expressed his thoughts, stating that there had been no change in India’s stand toward Pakistan.

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“I cannot forecast anything, but our relationship with that country (Pakistan) remains the same, with no change in the past week,” Saikia said.

He further said that India will play against Pakistan, emphasizing MCC regulations.

“India will play the match against Pakistan in Colombo, and all cricket protocols will be followed.

I can only assure that whatever is outlined in the MCC regulations of cricket will be done. Whether there will be handshakes or hugs, I cannot assure you of anything at this moment,” he remarked.

Earlier, Indian journalist Boria Majumdar also commented on the Indian cricketers’ plan to carry their unsportsmanlike behavior into the Women’s World Cup.

“The India-Pakistan game in Colombo will not be just another cricket match. It will be a continuation of the Asia Cup, and the only thing that changes is the gender,” Majumdar wrote on X.

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Pakistan defeat Bangladesh to remain unbeaten in Women’s World Cup Qualifier

Pakistan wrapped up their ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier campaign on a high, outclassing Bangladesh by seven wickets in their final group match at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground on Saturday.

Already through to the ICC Women’s World Cup in India later this year, Pakistan showed no signs of complacency as they produced another disciplined all-round performance to maintain their unbeaten run in the tournament.

Asked to bowl first after Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana won the toss, Pakistan’s bowlers responded brilliantly.

Left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal was the pick of the attack, finishing with impressive figures of 3/28 in her 10 overs, while skipper Fatima Sana and Diana Baig chipped in with two wickets each.

Rameen Shamim and Nashra Sandhu bagged one apiece as Bangladesh limped to 178/9 in their allotted 50 overs.

Only Ritu Moni (48 off 76) and Fahima Khatun (44* off 53) offered any resistance with the bat, but the lack of partnerships at the top proved costly in what was a must-win game for Bangladesh.

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In reply, Pakistan made light work of the chase to remain unbeaten in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier.

Muneeba Ali anchored the innings with a classy 69 off 93 deliveries, laced with eight boundaries, while Aliya Riaz guided the side home with an unbeaten 52 off 65, hitting six fours and a six.

Sidra Amin also contributed a steady 33 at the top to ensure the hosts were always ahead of the game. Pakistan reached the target with 62 balls to spare, losing just three wickets in the process.

For Bangladesh, Rabeya Khan, Nahida Akter, and Marufa Akter claimed a wicket each, but there was little joy for their camp as they now face an anxious wait.

With just one spot remaining, Bangladesh’s hopes of qualification for the ICC Women’s World Cup now hinge on the result of the final match between West Indies and Thailand.

If the West Indies manage a big win, they could leapfrog Bangladesh into the second spot and book their ticket to the World Cup alongside Pakistan.

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WATCH: ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier Teams visit Wagah Border on PCB’s Invitation

LAHORE: ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier participating teams visited the Wagah Border on Wednesday at the invitation of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

Both Pakistani and foreign women cricketers witnessed the thrilling flag-lowering ceremony and were deeply moved by the passionate display of patriotism.

The visiting foreign players, match officials, and umpires thoroughly enjoyed the event. They joined the Pakistani players in chanting “Pakistan Zindabad” and “Jeeway Jeeway Pakistan.”

The Rangers’ spectacular parade received loud applause from the women cricketers, who also took pictures with the personnel of the Pakistan Rangers Punjab.

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Foreign players particularly admired and enjoyed the precision and spirit of the Rangers’ performance. Many players took selfies and praised the vibrant and energetic atmosphere of the ceremony.

“This was a unique and unforgettable experience for us. The enthusiasm of the Rangers and the crowd was simply amazing,” said the foreign women cricketers.

Pakistan Rangers Punjab also presented souvenirs to the team captains of participating teams as a token of goodwill.

It is pertinent to mention that the six-team ICC event, which includes Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland, Thailand, and West Indies alongside hosts Pakistan, features a single-league round-robin format. The matches take place at the Gaddafi Stadium and LCCA ground in Lahore.

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The tournament will decide the two qualifiers for the 2025 Women’s World Cup, which will be held later this year in India.

Pakistan team started the tournament well, winning three games and strengthening their chances of participating in the mega event. Green Shirts clinched victories against Scotland, Ireland, and the West Indies in a dominant display.

They will play Thailand tomorrow and the table-toppers Bangladesh on 19 April in a bid to qualify for the semi-final of the Women’s World Cup Qualifier.

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Natalia Parvaiz confident as Pakistan women’s team gears up for World Cup Qualifiers

LAHORE: Pakistan women’s cricketer Natalia Parvaiz expressed her thoughts on national team preparations ahead of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifiers, set to take place from 9 to 19 April at the Gaddafi Stadium and LCCA ground in Lahore.

While talking to the media, the batting all-rounder Natalia deemed fitness crucial for the 50-over format while mentioning the improvement in the players’ fitness.

“Fitness is very crucial in 50-over cricket. Without fitness, you can’t play in this format,” she said.

“I think there is a lot of improvement because cricketers are focusing on gym, running, cardio, strength, and diet, ” she added.

The 29-year-old lauded the role of coaches in preparing them for different conditions, especially playing on turning tracks.

“The coaches have guided us on how to play in different conditions, which has helped us a lot.”

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She stated that their preparation was good, and as a team, they were hopeful of a strong performance in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifiers.

“Our preparation is good, and hopefully, our results will be good. We also want to play in the World Cup,” she concluded.

The six-team ICC event, which includes Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland, Thailand and West Indies alongside hosts Pakistan, will feature a single-league round-robin format.

Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium and LCCA ground will host 15 matches of the event, with Pakistan playing Ireland in the opening match of the competition at the Gaddafi Stadium.

On 11 April, Pakistan will play Scotland at the LCCA ground in a day game, while the hosts will take on West Indies in a day-night fixture on 14 April at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Pakistan will face Thailand in their fourth fixture of the event scheduled on 17 April in a day-night fixture at Gaddafi Stadium, while their final group stage match will be against Bangladesh on 19 April at the LCCA ground, which will be a day match.

Pakistan squad for Women’s World Cup 2025 Qualifiers

Fatima Sana (captain), Muneeba Ali (vice-captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wicket-keeper) and Syeda Aroob Shah

Reserve players: Ghulam Fatima, Waheeda Akhtar and Umm-e-Hani

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Spain tame England to win Women’s World Cup for first time

Spain won the Women’s World Cup for the first time in their history with skipper Olga Carmona sweeping in the only goal for a deserved 1-0 victory over England in Sunday’s final.

In front of a crowd of nearly 76,000 at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Spain were the more accomplished side and had more chances, including missing a second-half penalty.

Spain’s triumph is vindication for Jorge Vilda and the Spanish football federation, who stuck with the coach even after 15 players last year said they no longer wanted to represent their country under him.

England coach Sarina Wiegman, who has now suffered back-to-back defeats in the final, and her European champions can have few complaints.

Spain are the fifth team to lift the World Cup since the tournament began in 1991, joining outgoing champions the United States, Germany, Norway and Japan.

In front of Spain’s Queen Letizia, defender Carmona scored what turned out to be the winner, rampaging from left-back to thrash the ball in low and hard on 29 minutes.

Wiegman had resisted the temptation to recall Chelsea attacker Lauren James after her two-match ban and kept faith with the team that beat co-hosts Australia 3-1 in the semi-finals.

Playing in their blue second kit, England had the first sniff of a chance in the fifth minute but Lauren Hemp shot weakly at goalkeeper Cata Coll.

There was little to choose between them in the opening exchanges before both teams had golden opportunities on the quarter-hour mark.

First, Manchester City forward Hemp struck the bar with a curler that had Coll well beaten.

Spain went up the other end and should have scored but Salma Paralluelo — in for Alexia Putellas — missed the ball in the six-yard box.

Then Alba Redondo hit a first-time strike straight at goalkeeper Mary Earps with the England goal gaping.

Hemp then had another tame effort saved, before the game was momentarily held up in the 24th minute when a spectator darted onto the pitch before being wrestled away by security.

Five minutes later Spain, who had never won a knockout game at the Women’s World Cup until this tournament and had lost 4-0 to Japan in the group phase, were ahead.

Mariona Caldentey slid in an inch-perfect pass for Carmona, who came flying unmarked down the left before lashing the ball into the bottom corner.

Vilda, who recalled three of the 15 mutineers for the World Cup, did not even raise a smile on the sidelines.

England looked uncharacteristically rattled and the 19-year-old Barcelona attacker Paralluelo, who was a constant threat, shaved the post with the last kick of the half.

Wiegman, who suffered agony in the final four years ago when her Netherlands team lost 2-0 to the United States, made a double change at the break.

James and Chloe Kelly replaced Rachel Daly and Alessia Russo as Wiegman switched from a back-five to a flat back-four.

But it was Spain who nearly doubled their lead almost straight after half-time in the Women’s World Cup final, Caldentey dinking inside and forcing Earps to turn the ball around the post.

Hemp was booked for clipping Laia Codina as England’s frustration mounted.

Midfield schemer Aitana Bonmati, who has been one of the players of the tournament and was one of the three refuseniks recalled by Vilda, fired narrowly over Earps’s bar.

With 20 minutes left, Spain were awarded a penalty when VAR was called into action and, after a long review, Keira Walsh was judged to have handled the ball in the box.

Jennifer Hermoso stepped up but her penalty was weak and Earps saved comfortably to keep England just about alive.

Officials indicated 13 minutes of injury time at the end, but if anything, it was Spain who looked the more likely to score as England’s dreams of a first World Cup melted away.

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Sweden crush Australia to finish third in Women’s World Cup

Sweden scored either side of half-time to spoil Australia’s party and claim third spot at the Women’s World Cup with a 2-0 win in Brisbane on Saturday.

In front of a crowd of nearly 50,000, Sweden took the lead with a 30th-minute penalty by Fridolina Rolfo and doubled their advantage with a powerful strike from Kosovare Asllani just after the hour.

It is the fourth time that Sweden have finished third in the Women’s World Cup.

“It was an incredibly important match and the final 10 minutes were really tough,” coach Peter Gerhardsson said.

“So when that final whistle went and we had won, there was a great sense of relief and it was a wonderful feeling.

“It’s great to win a match of this magnitude — there’s been a lot of attention paid to this tournament back in Sweden.”

Sweden fully deserved their win against the hosts, dominating the midfield and keeping talismanic Australian striker Sam Kerr relatively quiet.

Australia’s other dangerous attacker, Mary Fowler, had a night to forget as she struggled physically against the size and power of the Swedish defenders.

By contrast, Sweden striker Stina Blackstenius caused havoc among the Australian defence during her 63 minutes on the pitch and had a hand in both goals.

Player of the match Rolfo said: “We showed from minute one that we were the better team. We deserved (to win) this match.”

Some of the Australian players were in tears at the end, but this was still the co-hosts’ best Women’s World Cup ever.

“We wanted to have some hardware to take home, it wasn’t to be,” said Kerr, who did not start a game at the tournament until the 3-1 semi-final defeat to England because of injury.

The skipper attempted to look at the bigger picture, saying: “We’ve proved to the world — and also within Australia — that we are a footballing nation.”

The Swedes began with far more intent than the Matildas and dominated for most of the first period.

Playing a bit like England in the semi-final on Wednesday, the Swedes slowed the ball down and controlled the midfield.

Australia only really looked dangerous on the transition and for much of the time they were chasing shadows, struggling to get any meaningful possession.

The Swedes had a golden chance to take the lead in the first 60 seconds when Blackstenius shot low across the goal.

Australian goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, who had another excellent night, parried the ball away and Ellie Carpenter did well to clear from in front of an open goal.

The Matildas didn’t have their first shot until the 24th minute when a Hayley Raso drive drew a good save from Sweden keeper Zecira Musovic.

But minutes later Sweden took the lead when VAR ruled that Clare Hunt had clipped Blackstenius’s heel after yet another dangerous run into the box from the Swedish striker.

Australia coach Tony Gustavsson made an attacking change on the 60-minute mark, bringing on Emily van Egmond and Cortnee Vine, but it was Sweden who continued to control the Women’s World Cup third-place playoff.

They went some way to silencing the sell-out crowd when Blackstenius laid a ball across goal for Asllani, who smashed a powerful strike past a diving Arnold.

It was their last contribution of the night as both were subbed almost immediately.

Australia tried desperately to breach the Swedish defence in the last 20 minutes by lumping deep crosses into the box but Musovic was largely untroubled to keep a clean sheet.

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Carmona’s late stunner takes Spain into maiden Women’s World Cup final

Olga Carmona’s stunning 89th-minute strike gave Spain a 2-1 win over Sweden on Tuesday to propel them into the Women’s World Cup final for the first time in their history.

Spain’s thrilling victory at Eden Park sets up a showdown in Sydney on Sunday with either Australia or England, who meet in the other Women’s semi-final on Wednesday.

The last-four clash in Auckland seemed to be drifting towards extra time before suddenly bursting to life when substitute Salma Paralluelo put Spain ahead with nine minutes left.

Rebecka Blomqvist equalised for Sweden in the 88th minute only for full-back Carmona, Spain’s captain, to score with a superb shot in off the underside of the crossbar from the edge of the box 60 seconds later.

“We are so proud of everything we have done and for getting to the final because now we are one small step away from glory,” said Paralluelo.

It has been a remarkable run for a nation who had never previously gone beyond the last 16 at a Women’s World Cup, and for a team who had been in disarray in the months leading up to the tournament.

Fifteen Spanish players told their federation last September that they no longer wished to be considered for selection, mainly out of unhappiness with coach Jorge Vilda, and only three of them returned for this Women’s World Cup run.

While their dream of World Cup glory remains alive, Sweden are left with a familiar feeling after going so far at another major tournament before falling short.

This is the third time in four Women’s World Cups that they have reached the semi-finals, only to lose on each occasion.

Peter Gerhardsson’s side also lost in the last four at the European Championship last year, having been beaten in the final of the Tokyo Olympics on penalties against Canada in 2021.

“Everyone just feels sadness and huge disappointment,” said Gerhardsson, whose team had been so impressive in beating Japan 2-1 in the last eight.

“We were up against an excellent Spanish side and they were able to disrupt us a lot more than Japan did.”

Vilda decided against handing a start to Paralluelo, after she came off the bench to score the winner in the quarter-final against the Netherlands.

Instead he recalled Alexia Putellas and the reigning Ballon d’Or winner started for the first time since Spain were walloped 4-0 by Japan in the group phase.

The plan was clearly to dominate possession and make a more physically imposing Sweden do the chasing.

Spain had far more of the ball in the first half but the closest they came to breaking the deadlock was from long range when Jennifer Hermoso laid the ball back to Carmona, whose shot whistled wide.

Sweden had taken the game to Japan in the quarter-finals but they offered next to nothing here until suddenly they almost struck three minutes before half-time.

Nathalie Bjorn sent a hanging cross from the right to the back post for Fridolina Rolfo –- facing seven of her Barcelona club colleagues in the Spain starting line-up -– but her side-foot volley was saved by Cata Coll.

Vilda’s plan was clearly to save the pacy Paralluelo for when the Swedish defence was tiring, and it was just before the hour mark that he turned to the former athlete.

Paralluelo replaced Putellas, who has still not completed 90 minutes at this World Cup as she continues to recover to full fitness following a serious knee injury.

The substitute’s persistence almost brought the opener for Spain with 20 minutes left as she stretched to keep the ball in play, but Alba Redondo turned her cutback wide.

Paralluelo then struck with nine minutes of normal time remaining, showing a killer instinct to lash a shot low into the corner.

Sweden drew level in the 88th minute thanks to two substitutes of their own.

Lina Hurtig had only just come on when she nodded down a cross for Blomqvist to fire home, raising the spectre of extra time.

But Carmona, the Real Madrid left-back, had other ideas as she clinched victory for Spain in style.

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