ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Group One, Headingley
Australia 199-7 (20 overs): Perry 71 (48); Sadia 2-31
Pakistan 86 (13.4 overs): Muneeba 32 (25); Molineux 2-6
Australia won by 113 runs
Australia continued their dominant unbeaten run at the Women’s T20 World Cup as they thrashed Pakistan by 113 runs to all-but confirm a semi-final spot.
Ellyse Perry’s all-round class led the way for Australia as she struck 71 from 48 balls in their 199-7 and then took 2-9 as a woeful Pakistan were skittled for 86.
Pakistan were already eliminated but have now lost all four of their games as they were thoroughly outplayed by the six-time winners of the tournament.
Opener Muneeba Ali’s 32 was Pakistan’s only contribution of note before she was caught at mid-wicket off the first ball of Perry’s only over, while there were also three dismal run outs as they were all out in 13.4 overs.
In contrast, Australia showcased their enviable batting depth once again to recover from Beth Mooney’s dismissal from the first ball of the game and the loss of three wickets in eight balls in the middle overs.
Gull Feroza’s magnificent one-handed diving catch accounted for Mooney before Perry and Georgia Voll, who made 39, added a counter-attacking 100 for the second wicket.
Voll, Ash Gardner and Georgia Wareham then fell in quick succession but Perry held firm and struck nine fours and a six in her masterful knock, before she was caught behind off Fatima Sana in the 18th over.
But all-rounders Annabel Sutherland and Nicola Carey ensured that they did not lose momentum as they contributed cameos of 27 and 26 not out respectively.
The group stage concludes with the blockbuster fixture between Australia and India on Sunday 28 June, which will likely decide the semi-final fixtures.
