West Indies defeated Thailand by six wickets on Saturday at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan, but missed out on a Women’s ODI World Cup berth for the first time in six seasons.
The West Indies Women, who advanced to the semifinals of the previous World Cup in 2022, will not be participating for the first time since 2000. Despite losing to Pakistan in their final qualification match, Bangladesh will instead compete in their second consecutive World Cup later this year.
The West Indies, who had advanced to the semifinals of two of the previous three World Cups, had to chase 167 in 9.6 overs or win by a boundary, which would raise their total against the Thais to 171 from 10.5. If it tied the score at 166 and then hit a six to complete the victory, it might push the chase to 11 overs.
It missed out by the narrowest of margins, though, scoring 168 from 10.5 overs.
Player of the Match Hayley Matthews took a wicket for the Windies and scored a score of 70 from 29 balls, however the victory came too late despite her heroic performance.
Meanwhile Bangladesh advanced to the tournament’s finals and made the cut in subsequent years. The team ended Friday’s match with a run rate of +0.639, just +0.013 higher than West Indies, despite losing to Pakistan by seven wickets.
