A stunning all-round performance from West Indies captain Hayley Matthews was not enough to prevent her team from falling to a shock 11-run defeat to Scotland in their opening match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier on Tuesday at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground.

Matthews was nothing short of heroic, claiming 4-56 with the ball and then scoring an unbeaten 114 off 113 balls with the bat — an innings made all the more remarkable as she was forced to retire hurt twice during her knock. Despite her resilience and brilliance, West Indies were bowled out for 233 in 46.2 overs, chasing Scotland’s 244.

Electing to bowl first, the West Indies had Scotland at 69-3 by the 16th over, with Matthews picking up all three wickets, including both Bryce sisters — captain Kathryn and wicketkeeper Sarah. But Sarah Bryce (55 off 56 balls) anchored the innings with a fluent knock, before Megan McColl (45), Katherine Fraser (25*) and Priyanaz Chatterji (15 off 10) helped push Scotland to 244 all out in 45 overs.

Matthews was the standout with the ball, but she received support from off-spinner Karishma Ramharack (2-46) and Aaliyah Alleyne (2-31). Still, fielding errors and late-order resistance cost the Caribbean side valuable momentum heading into the chase.

In response, the West Indies suffered an early setback, losing Qiana Joseph for 0 in just the second over. But Matthews and Zaida James (45) stitched together a 113-run partnership that appeared to put the Windies in command.

James made 45 in a 113-run partnership with Matthews

Matthews played fluently, bringing up her half-century in 56 balls, and was closing in on a century when she had to leave the field for the first time after experiencing discomfort. She returned after the fall of the sixth wicket, only to retire hurt again on 99 not out just two balls later.

When she returned a second time, she completed her century — her fifth in ODIs — but ran out of partners as wickets tumbled around her. The middle order collapsed under pressure, with Campbelle (9), Taylor (8), and Gajnabi (2) all falling cheaply. Matthews stood defiant at the other end but could only watch as the final wicket fell in the 47th over, leaving her stranded on 114* and the team 11 runs short of victory.

Scotland’s bowlers produced a disciplined performance, led by Katherine Fraser (3-50), Chloe Abel (2-31), and Abtaha Maqsood (2-60). Fraser, in particular, played a key role in the collapse, claiming three of the final four wickets to wrap up the innings.

The result marks a major upset and a crucial win for Scotland, who bagged two important points in the group stage of the qualifier.

For West Indies, the defeat is a significant setback in their World Cup qualification bid, but they can take heart from their captain’s incredible performance — a shining example of leadership and commitment in adversity.

They will now need to regroup quickly ahead of their next fixture in the tournament, with qualification hopes still alive but now under pressure.