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Defending champions Australia continue to have a cruising campaign as they eased past Pakistan in the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup Group A contest. The Dubai International Stadium hosted the match on Friday, October 11. The Women in Yellow defeated the opposition by nine wickets to secure their third consecutive win. They have a foot in the semi-finals on the back of their imperious net run-rate.
Alyssa Healy opted to bowl first and the bowling unit kept the opposition on a leash in the powerplay. Despite being a bowler short due to Tayla Vlaeminck's injury early in the contest, Australia had no issues when it came to options. Stand-in skipper Muneeba Ali perished in the fourth over, and wickets continued to tumble after that.
Pakistan could not score their first boundary for close to nine overs and recorded only four in total. The Women in Green had trouble finding gaps and clearing the ropes, with Australia bowling with precision and not offering anything that could be exploited.
Ashleigh Gardner, who picked up three wickets in the penultimate over, ended up being the pick of the bowlers when it came to figures. The off-spinner finished with 4-21 to help the champions bundle out Pakistan for a paltry 82, the lowest total in the ongoing tournament so far.
During the run chase, Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney started briskly to reach the target as soon as possible. The latter was dismissed in the fifth over, but the duo of Healy and Perry were in fine command of the run chase. However, the former's concerning injury towards the end of the contest.
Australia now have a commanding lead at the top of Group A with six points. Polishing off the runs with nine overs remaining against Pakistan has bolstered their already commanding net run-rate to a near-invincible +2.786.
As far as Pakistan are concerned, a second consecutive loss in the group stage dents their campaign. They are placed fourth on the points table, with their net run rate taking a serious hit, reading at -0.488
Australia to face India in a group-defining clash on October 13
Australia will face India at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in their final group-stage match on Sunday, October 13. The last two times the Women in Yellow have come up against them in the group stage, they have ended up on the losing side.
Pakistan, on the other hand, are scheduled to face New Zealand on Monday, October 14 at the Dubai International Stadium. This match will decide the state of the group.
