Champions are produced from the clay of onerous work within the low season. However ever so typically, winners come about purely by bravery. One spark is sufficient to create a second to cherish for posterity.
This might have been the epilogue of a well-known win for Pakistan in opposition to Australia in its Girls’s ODI World Cup 2025 league fixture on the R. Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday, if it hadn’t ruined among the finest bowling efforts on this version of the showpiece.
The Australian batting order was lowered to 76 for seven with Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal, and Rameen Shamim taking a mixed six wickets for simply 98 runs of their 30 overs. Nevertheless, a rigorously floor out century from Beth Mooney and an important fifty by Alana King helped Australia get well to 221 for 9, after which the seamers put a struggling Pakistan chase to mattress and sealed a 107-run win.
After Bangladesh’s bowling brilliance in opposition to England the day earlier than, Pakistan appeared poised to do one higher and probably wrap up the Australian innings for a paltry rating after opting to subject on a scorching, humid afternoon. The highest and center order confirmed an utter lack of utility, making an attempt to attain too shortly on a sluggish floor.
However Mooney’s 114-ball 109, her fifth century within the format, stood out. Adept footwork and the flexibility to rotate strike blunted Fatima Sana’s aggressive fields. Mooney’s effort allowed Australia to place up a struggle and erase the embarrassing present within the early hours of the sport.
She discovered assist from Kim Garth (47-ball 11) and King, who smacked three fours and three sixes to help Australia’s 81-run flourish within the last 10 overs, 53 of these coming off the final 5. A normally disciplined Diana Baig missed her mark and was focused by Australia. She conceded 74 runs in her spell.
Chasing 100 greater than they might have favored, Pakistan crumbled like 9 pins in opposition to Australia’s relentless tempo battery. Sidra Amin with a 52-ball 35 provided resistance, however, ultimately, construction and stability triumphed over spirit.
The scores
Australia 221/9 in 50 overs (Beth Mooney 109, Alana King 51 n.o., Nashra Sandhu 3/37) bt Pakistan 114 in 36.3 overs (Sidra Amin 35, Kim Garth 3/14). Toss: Pakistan; PoM: Mooney.
Printed on Oct 08, 2025