LEEDS. June 24: Australia swatted aside Pakistan by 113 runs and remained unbeaten in the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup at Headingley.
Despite being four from four with one group game left, Australia has not secured a semifinals berth. Group rivals South Africa and India could yet wind up with four wins, too. Australia finishes against India at sold-out Lord’s on Sunday. Australia has never missed the semifinals. Australia posted 199-7 and bowled out Pakistan for 86 in the 14th over.
Australia lost Beth Mooney to the game’s first ball but recovered with a 64-1 powerplay – the highest of the tournament – as Ellyse Perry and Georgia Voll battered Pakistan.
Their 100-run stand in 56 balls included 39 by Voll. Perry fell for 71 off 48 and cameos by Annabel Sutherland (27) and Nicola Carey (26) kept the rate up.
Mooney retired hurt on Saturday with a stiff back but kept wicket on Tuesday when she appeared to hurt her right wrist. But she brushed it off and took three catches.
Pakistan self-destructed in three run outs, two of them the fault of opener Muneeba Ali, who top-scored with 32.
Perry claimed two wickets in her only over, and captain Sophie Molineux and Sutherland also got braces. Georgia Wareham got a wicket in two overs including 11 dot balls. Perry produced 71 off 48 balls before returning figures of 2 for 9 in a single over as Australia registered their fourth successive win, moving to the brink of the semi-finals. Named Player of the Match, the all-rounder said her approach remains rooted in finding joy in the game while continuing to evolve.
Her innings came after Australia elected to bat first on a batting-friendly surface, and Perry said the conditions encouraged positive cricket from the outset.
Australia will next face India as they look to complete an unbeaten group-stage campaign, while Pakistan, still searching for their first victory of the tournament, will finish their campaign against the Netherlands, hoping to end on a high. (Agencies)
