Pakistan seals spot in Women's Cricket World Cup after recording four straight wins

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — 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 Gaddafi 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.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Pakistan's Sidra Amin celebrates after scoring fifty during the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier match between Pakistan and Thailand at the Gaddafi Stadium, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Pakistani players celebrate their win at the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier match against Thailand in the Gaddafi Stadium, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Pakistani players celebrate their win at the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier match against Thailand in the Gaddafi Stadium, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Pakistani players celebrate their win at the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier match against Thailand in the Gaddafi Stadium, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Pakistan's Sidra Amin celebrates after scoring fifty during the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier match between Pakistan and Thailand at the Gaddafi Stadium, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Pakistani players pose for photograph after winning the match against Thailand and qualifying for ICC Women's World Cup, at the Gaddafi Stadium, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — James Harden has passed Shaquille O'Neal for ninth place on the NBA's all-time scoring list.

The Los Angeles Clippers guard made a 3-pointer early in the third quarter on Monday night against the Charlotte Hornets, pushing his career total to 28,598 points in his 1,187th regular season game. O'Neal had 28,596 points in 1,207 games over 19 years.

Harden, who began the night 14 points behind O'Neal, finished with 32 points in the Clippers' 117-109 win against the Hornets. He had 13 points in the first half — including 11 in the first quarter — and scored 11 in the third and eight in the fourth to increase his scoring total to 28, 614.

Harden entered the night averaging 25.6 points per game, his highest average since the 2019-20 season (34.3 points per game) when he won the last of three straight league scoring titles.

Harden, who began the game with 28,582 career points in his 17th season, faces a steep climb to the next spot. Wilt Chamberlain is eighth with 31,419 points, in just 1,045 games over 14 years. LeBron James is the all-time leader with 42,601 points entering his game with the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday. Following him are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Durant.

Harden recently moved up to 12th on the all-time assists list. The 11-time All-Star also ranks second all-time in 3-pointers made, behind Stephen Curry.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) shoots over Charlotte Hornets guard Sion James (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) celebrates his three-point basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) celebrates his three-point basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) dribbles during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)