Hayley Matthews gave everything—bat, ball, and body—but even that wasn’t enough to prevent a stunning upset in Lahore. Battling severe cramps and needing a stretcher twice, the West Indies captain returned to the crease multiple times in a heroic bid to save her team, scoring a magnificent 114* off 113 balls. Yet, it was Scotland who walked away with a famous 11-run win in their ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier opener.
Hayley Matthews’ resilient act
Chasing 245, West Indies looked in control at 120 for 1 before a collapse saw them slump to 203 for 9. Matthews, who had already retired hurt twice—on 95 and 99—was forced off again when Karishma Ramharack fell for a golden duck. But with no one left to bat, she returned and completed her ninth ODI century. She and Aaliyah Alleyne added 30 runs to revive the chase, only for Scotland’s Abtaha Maqsood to trap Alleyne lbw in the 47th over.
Matthews had earlier starred with the ball, picking up 4 for 56 as Scotland posted 244, thanks to a composed 55 from Sarah Bryce and useful contributions from Megan McColl (45) and Katherine Fraser (25*). Despite being bowled out in the 45th over, the total proved just enough.
Matthews’ all-round heroics made her the first female captain to score a hundred and take four wickets in an ODI. She also became the second-fastest and second-youngest to nine centuries in women’s ODIs.
But in the end, even that wasn’t enough. As Matthews stood unbeaten and visibly exhausted, Scotland celebrated a historic win—their first against the West Indies.
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