Women’s WC: Australia thump Pakistan at the back of Healy’s brilliance

MOUNT MAUNGANUI: In the sixth match of the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup, Australia’s Alyssa Healy starred with the bat to power her side seal a consolidating seven-wickets victory over Pakistan, here on Tuesday.

Set to chase a mere 192, Australia comfortable sealed a consolidating victory by seven wickets and 92 balls to spare.

Australia’s opener Healy shone with the bat in the run chase; scoring a brilliant 72 off 79 balls with the help of seven boundaries to set a perfect foundation for the run chase.

Healy’s opening partner Rachael Haynes, on the other hand, also batted brilliantly and put on a valiant 60-runs partnership for the first wicket with Healy. The left-handed batter was looking solid until the 11th over before Bismah Maroof dismissed her for a run-a-ball for 34.

Healy then put on another 60-plus partnership with the newly joined Meg Lanning. The pair took the score to 123 in the 22nd over before Lanning made her way back to the pavilion after scoring 35.

Following Healy’s dismissal in the 28th over, Ellyse Perry and Beth Mooney then put on an unbeaten and match-winning 40-runs partnership and took their side to the victory. Perry scored an unbeaten 26, while Mooney remained not out at 23.

For Pakistan, Omaima Sohail picked two wickets, while Bismah managed to make one scalp.

Batting first, Pakistan could only manage to score a paltry 190/6 in the allotted 50 overs despite the brilliant half-century knocks from Bismah and Aliya Riaz as the rest of the batters remained clueless in front of the Australian bowling attack and scored cheaply.

Bismah scored 78, while Aliya followed back with 53, but both the batters remained a little too defensive as Bismah faced a mammoth 122 balls, while Aliya faced 109.

For Australia, Alana King led the way with two wickets, while Megan Schutt, Perry, Amanda-Jade Wellington, and Nicola Carey struck out a batter each.

Following this victory, Australia have strengthen their top position on the points table, while Pakistan remained at the bottom with two defeats.

READ: Abdullah, Imam eye century as Pakistan score 191/0 at Tea Break