ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier: Snehal Pradhan, Sana Mir & Maroof on High Stakes

Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier: High-Stakes, Rising Standards, and New Possibilities

The countdown has begun for one of the most competitive and significant events in women’s cricket this year the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier. Scheduled to be held in Pakistan, this tournament not only determines which two of the six participating teams will book their place in the main event in India later this year, but also showcases the rapid evolution of women’s cricket at both full and associate levels. With representatives from four ICC Full Member nations Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ireland, and West Indies and two formidable Associate Member challengers, Thailand and Scotland, the field is stacked with ambition, talent, and unpredictability.

Snehal Pradhan, former Indian cricketer and ICC Manager - Women’s Cricket, is one of the many voices celebrating the significance of this event. With the global spotlight gradually but firmly shifting towards women’s cricket, Pradhan believes the Qualifier in Pakistan is a culmination of long-term planning and progressive decision-making from the ICC, and a reflection of the game’s growing depth and global reach.

Snehal Pradhan: The New Shape of Global Women’s Cricket

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Snehal Pradhan described the qualifier as “high stakes cricket” in every sense. The ultimate prize a place in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in India is on every team’s mind, but it’s not just about reaching the main event. It’s also about showcasing how far each nation has come in terms of performance, professionalism, and structure.

She reflected on how Thailand and Scotland, traditionally viewed as underdogs, have disrupted the narrative in recent years. Thailand’s historic qualification for the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup, followed by Scotland’s appearance at the 2024 edition, demonstrated that the gap between Full Members and top-tier Associate Members is closing fast. Pradhan’s emphasis on the unpredictability of the outcome isn't just lip service it's a grounded assessment backed by recent results.

The ICC Women’s Cricket 2025 framework has also contributed to this competitiveness. Pradhan explained how the expansion of the ICC Women’s Championship to 10 teams and the award of ODI status to five Associate Member sides created a broader, more competitive ecosystem. This led to more matches, better player development, and ultimately, stronger global representation. It’s a strategy that is bearing fruit, and the 2025 Qualifier is one of its most important litmus tests yet.

Sana Mir: A Landmark Moment for Pakistan and the Women's Game

For Pakistan, hosting the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier is more than a logistical achievement it’s a statement. Former captain Sana Mir, a pioneer for women’s cricket in Pakistan, sees the event as a massive opportunity not just for local players, but also for fans and stakeholders to witness high-quality cricket on home soil.

Sana praised the ICC’s decision to extend the Women’s Championship to include nations like Bangladesh and Ireland, saying this inclusion plays a pivotal role in building consistent international exposure. Mir also acknowledged the increasingly balanced nature of women’s ODIs, where results often go down to the wire something that boosts fan interest and reinforces the product value of the women’s game.

More broadly, Sana believes the upcoming qualifier is a sign of how far the game has come. “In the last World Cup, a lot of matches went to the last couple of overs, and that’s what you want to see as an audience,” she said. This competitiveness, she adds, ensures that fans are no longer tuning in just to support, but to be thoroughly entertained.

Bismah Maroof: From Competitor to Catalyst

Taking forward the legacy of leaders like Sana, current Pakistan star Bismah Maroof emphasized how the quality of cricket across both Full and Associate Members has improved dramatically. She acknowledged the strides made by teams like Thailand and Scotland, calling their rise “massive” and a testament to investment and effort at the grassroots.

Maroof, who has carried the Pakistan side through highs and lows, now steps into this tournament as a senior stateswoman, offering wisdom, calm, and leadership. For her, this tournament isn’t just about making it to India; it’s about reinforcing Pakistan’s place as a force in the women’s game and showing the nation’s cricketing progression at home.

A Platform to Define the Future

What makes the ICC Women’s Cricket 2025 cycle especially exciting is the growing integration of commercial partnerships, most notably Unilever coming on board as the first-ever dedicated commercial partner for women’s ICC events. For Snehal Pradhan, this is not only a landmark but also a vital step in sustaining momentum. “You are seeing now the value of all those decisions and investments,” she said. “It’s incredibly encouraging.”

With the main tournament in India expected to be a major event in the global sporting calendar, the stakes at the Pakistan qualifier are higher than ever. Yet, it's not only the end result that matters it’s also about the spectacle and showcasing how competitive and well-rounded the women’s game has become.

A Field of Six, But No Clear Favourites

The format ensures drama. With six teams playing in what could be one of the most balanced qualifiers to date, the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier isn’t about one or two favourites cruising to the top. Each team brings unique strengths: West Indies have flair and experience, Bangladesh have consistency, Ireland are on the rise, and Pakistan have home advantage. Thailand and Scotland, meanwhile, are no longer “just” associate teams they’re threats capable of toppling anyone on their day.

This unpredictable mix sets the stage for potentially one of the most dramatic finishes in recent qualifier history. As Pradhan put it: “If we get to the last round of matches and it is absolutely down to the wire to see who gets through, that will be the biggest sign of success.”

Final Thought: Qualifier with a Cause

More than a tournament, the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier in Pakistan is a reflection of growth, resilience, and opportunity. It’s a showcase of years of development by the ICC and member boards. It’s also a reminder that the women’s game isn’t just growing it’s maturing.

As the six teams battle for two coveted spots, the world will be watching. And if the competition lives up to its billing, it could redefine how we talk about women’s ODIs not as an emerging sport, but as one that’s already arrived.