australia women vs pakistan women
🏆 A Tournament-Defining Knock by Beth Mooney
The match began ominously for Australia after Pakistan captain Fatima Sana won the toss and elected to field on a slow, turning Colombo pitch . Pakistan’s spinners, led by Nashra Sandhu (3/37) and supported by Rameen Shamim (2/29), wreaked havoc on the Australian batting lineup . A mixture of disciplined spin bowling and some loose shots saw Australia lose wickets in a heap, slumping to a precarious 76 for 7 in the 22nd over . Key batters like Alyssa Healy (20), Ellyse Perry (5), and Tahlia McGrath (5) were all dismissed cheaply .
Amid the carnage, Beth Mooney stood firm. Playing with immense patience and a flawless technique, she anchored the innings while wickets tumbled around her. Her innings was a lesson in composure, as she expertly picked the gaps and kept the scoreboard ticking. Mooney’s efforts were briefly supported by Kim Garth (11), but when Garth was stumped, Australia was still in deep trouble at 115 for 8 . It was at this point that Mooney found an unlikely partner in number 10 batter, Alana King.
👑 King and Mooney’s Record-Breaking Stand
The partnership between Beth Mooney and Alana King began cautiously but soon transformed into a blistering counter-attack that completely shifted the match’s momentum. Together, they forged a record 106-run partnership for the ninth wicket, the highest such stand in the history of Women’s ODIs . While Mooney anchored the partnership, King launched a stunning assault on the Pakistani bowlers. She remained not out on 51 from just 49 balls, an innings that included three fours and three sixes . This score also set a new record for the highest individual score by a batter at No. 10 or 11 in women’s ODIs .
The duo plundered 81 runs from the final 10 overs, with a particularly brutal 53 runs coming from the last four . Mooney, who had been battling the exhausting heat and humidity, reached her fifth ODI hundred and her first in a World Cup, finishing with 109 from 114 deliveries before being dismissed on the final ball of the innings . Thanks to their heroic efforts, Australia posted a competitive total of 221 for 9, a score that seemed impossible just hours earlier .
⚡ Pakistan’s Chase Falters Against Relentless Bowling
Defending 221, Australia’s bowlers came out with renewed energy and quickly dismantled Pakistan’s top order. Kim Garth was the chief destroyer early on, finishing with exceptional figures of 3 for 14 from her six overs . She was ably supported by Megan Schutt (2/25) and Annabel Sutherland (2/15), who kept the pressure on with tight lines and lengths . Pakistan found themselves in a hopeless position at 31 for 5 within the first nine overs, and despite a fighting 35 from Sidra Amin, they were never in the chase . The innings eventually folded for 114 in 36.3 overs, handing Australia a massive 107-run victory .
📊 How to Interpret a Stunning Victory
The match provided a classic lesson in the importance of partnerships and the danger of Pakistan’s spin attack. The record-breaking stand between Beth Mooney and Alana King was a testament to the depth and fighting spirit of the Australian team. For Pakistan, while their spinners proved a potent force, the inability to break the Mooney-King partnership and then the subsequent batting collapse highlighted areas for improvement. The victory propelled Australia to the top of the World Cup table with two wins and a washout, while Pakistan remained winless .
❓ Your Cricket Questions Answered
- Who took the catch to dismiss Phoebe Litchfield? Pakistan captain Fatima Sana took a splendid catch off her own bowling to dismiss Australian opener Phoebe Litchfield .
- What was significant about Alana King’s innings? Apart from the record partnership, Alana King’s unbeaten 51 is the highest score by any batter at No. 10 or 11 in women’s ODI history .
- How did Pakistan’s bowlers perform? Nashra Sandhu (3/37) and Rameen Shamim (2/29) were the standout bowlers, with Sadia Iqbal (1/32) also maintaining economic pressure .
The heroics of Beth Mooney and Alana King in this game will be remembered as one of the great World Cup rescue acts. It underscored a vital lesson for any team: the match is never over until the final ball is bowled.
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