LAHORE: Pakistan secured a place in the Women’s Cricket World Cup by beating Thailand on Thursday for its fourth straight victory in the qualifying tournament.
After defeating Ireland, Scotland and the West Indies, Pakistan thumped Thailand by 87 runs at the Qaddafi Stadium in Lahore to seal one of the two vacant World Cup places.
Bangladesh, Scotland and the West Indies are still in contention for the remaining spot to join host India, Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka in the eight-team, 50-over tournament later this year.
Bangladesh, which has won three of its four games, will play Pakistan on Saturday, when the West Indies round faces Thailand. Scotland meets Ireland on Friday in its last game.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana led from the front and took 10 wickets in four games. She is second on the bowling chart in the qualifying tournament behind Hayley Matthews of the West Indies, who has bagged 12 wickets in four games.
Sana orchestrated Pakistan’s place at the World Cup with her brilliant all-round performance against Thailand as she scored a half-century and then claimed 3-39 with her medium fast bowling.
The International Cricket Council has not yet announced the dates and venues of the World Cup, but last December agreed to a hybrid model due to severe political relations between India and Pakistan. All matches involving India and Pakistan in an ICC event will be played at a neutral venue.
Pakistan seals spot in Women’s Cricket World Cup after recording four straight wins
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Pakistan seals spot in Women’s Cricket World Cup after recording four straight wins
- After defeating Ireland, Scotland and the West Indies, Pakistan thumped Thailand by 87 runs
- Bangladesh, Scotland and the West Indies are still in contention for the one remaining spot
Kazakh president in Pakistan on two-day visit to discuss trade, connectivity, bilateral ties
- Pakistan, Kazakhstan share strong ties and strategic partnership, with Islamabad offering landlocked Central Asian republics access to key seaports
- The visit reflects mutual commitment to transforming historic affinities into robust cooperation, shared desire for peace and progress, Islamabad says
ISLAMABAD: Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Tuesday arrived in Pakistan on a two-day official visit to hold talks with the country’s leadership on trade, regional connectivity and bilateral cooperation, according to the Pakistani foreign ministry.
Tokayev is visiting Pakistan, along with a delegation comprising cabinet ministers and high-ranking officials, on the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to the Pakistani foreign ministry.
The visit reflects the strengthening bonds between Pakistan and Kazakhstan, their mutual commitment to transforming historic and cultural affinities into robust cooperation, and their common desire for peace and progress in the region.
Pakistan state television broadcaster footage of PM Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari welcoming President Tokayev upon arrival at Noor Khan Air Base in the Pakistani garrison city of Rawalpindi on Tuesday evening.
"The visit will provide the two sides an important and timely opportunity to undertake a comprehensive review of bilateral relations, discuss new avenues for broadening cooperation, particularly in trade, logistics, regional connectivity, people-to-people contacts, and explore collaboration at regional and international forums," the Pakistani foreign ministry said.
Relations between Pakistan and Kazakhstan are rooted in shared Islamic heritage and a growing strategic partnership, with Pakistan offering landlocked Central Asian republics access to southern seaports for global trade. Pakistan was among the first countries to recognize Kazakhstan when it gained independence in December 1991 and formally established diplomatic relations with it on Feb. 24, 1992.
The two countries have held regular interactions over the past couple of years on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meetings and other international events. Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister Murat Nurtleu visited Pakistan in September 2025 to discuss economic and trade cooperation with Islamabad.
Islamabad and Astana engage with each other to promote business and political ties via three forums mainly, which are: Bilateral Political Consultations, the Intergovernmental Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation, and the Joint Business Council.
According to the government of Kazakhstan, bilateral trade between the two countries amounted to $53.7 million in 2024. Pakistan's main exports to Kazakhstan include citrus fruits, pharmaceutical products, garments, soap, sports equipment and gear and others.
Kazakhstan’s exports to Pakistan primarily include onions and garlic, dried leguminous vegetables, oats, buckwheat and other cereal grains, seeds and fruits of other oil-bearing crops, among others.
