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COLOMBO: Beth Mooney’s rescue act for the ages, followed by Kim Garth’s three-wicket haul, sealed a comfortable win for Australia against Pakistan in the ninth fixture of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 here at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Set 222, Pakistan were skittled for a mere 114 runs in 36.3 overs.
The loss marked Pakistan’s third consecutive defeat in the World Cup and their 17th overall against Australia in ODIs. Meanwhile, the defending champions are now at the top of the points table with three wins.
Pakistan started the chase on a shaky note as opener Sadaf Shamas was caught after scoring just five in the second over.
Muneeba Ali (3) also fell in the fifth over, whereas Sidra Nawaz (5) and Natalia Pervaiz only scored one run. Eyman Fatima player her first game of the tournament also went back without scoring while attempting a wild slog.
As a result, Pakistan slumped to 31-5 in 8.4 overs.
After early wickets, Australia never allowed Pakistan to make a comeback and took wickets in quick succession, which bundled them out for a mere score.
Sidra Amin remained the standout batter for Pakistan, making 35 from 52 balls with the aid of five fours.
For Australia, Kim Garth picked up three wickets, whereas Annabel Sutherland and Megan Schutt scalped two apiece.
Earlier, A dominant bowling display from Pakistan women had defending champions Australia women reeling, before Beth Mooney’s rearguard century lifted them to a respectable total.
Put into bat first, Australia managed to score 221-9 in their 50 overs
Alyssa Healy and Phoebe Litchfield added 30 runs for the opening wicket before both openers got dismissed in the span of three balls.
Healy made 20 from 23 balls with the aid of three fours, while Litchfield made 10 from 22 deliveries with the help of a boundary.
As a result, seven-time champions Australia were reduced to 30-2 in 7.3 overs.
Pakistan continued to chip away at Australia’s middle order with wickets at regular intervals; however, Beth Mooney held firm and ensured that Australia posted a respectable total.
Ellyse Perry was stumped for five, Annabel Sutherland and Ashleigh Gardner were bowled for one run respectively. Tahlia McGrath could add only five to the total, whereas Georgia Wareham fell for nought.
Consequently, Australia were left reeling for 76-7 in 21.2 overs. Kim Garth provided Aussies some respite with a 39-run stand on the seventh wicket, however, Pakistan bowlers also removed her to take complete control of the game.
The architects of Australia’s middle over collapse were Nashra Sandhu and Rameen Shamim. Both combined to pick up five wickets with economical bowling spells.
However, Alana King and Beth Mooney forged a 106-run partnership for the eighth wicket. King scored 51 from 49 balls, striking three sixes and three fours.
Mooney, on the contrary, soaked up all the pressure and went on to score her fifth ODI century. She eventually departed after making 109 from 114 balls, studded with 11 fours.
For Pakistan, Nashra Sandhu was the standout bowler, picking up a three-wicket haul in her quota of ten overs.
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