Match Details
Arya- Australian skipper Meg Lanning won the toss and opted to bat. Given the history between the two teams, it was expected that Australia would get off to a flying start in the powerplay but the Pakistan opening bowlers Diana Baig and Fatima Sana had other ideas. It was an exceptional piece of bowling by the duo which made sure that Pakistan dominated the powerplay with the ball and had Australia under a bit of trouble.
They lost two important wickets in the form of Allysa Healy and Meg Lanning but a turnaround was around the corner and the next two batters carried on for the rest of the innings, such was the dominance from Tahila McGrath and Beth Money.
While Fatima Sana bagged the wicket of Healy with a beautiful inswinger which came back in and disturbed the timbers, Meg Lanning was castled by arguably the best delivery of the match by Sadia Iqbal. The ball came in and then straightened enough to beat the outside edge of Lanning and clattered onto the stumps. However it was a different ball game altogether from there on as Australia kept the momentum going and struck some magnificent strokes.
Both McGrath and Mooney took the centre stage as they took Australia out of the doldrums. It was a magnificent partnership of 141 and it was decorated with shots of the highest order. Tahila McGrath made a lot of movements in the crease and struck some incredible blows. Mooney wasn't far away either and struck 8 four. and six during her knock of 70. Meanwhile, McGrath remained unbeaten on 78 which included 10 fours and a six.
Pakistan was never in the run chase right from the word go. They lost their opener, Muneeba Ali, in the first over itself and it was always going to be an uphill task for them from there on. Iram Javed came out with some intent but couldn't quite get a big score. Omaima Sohail struck some great shots to begin with and was given good support by Bisma Maroof as the duo tried to resurrect the run-chase.
However Sohail's wicket again opened the floodgates for Australia and Pakistan had no answer. Wickets kept tumbling on regular intervals and the required rate also kept climbing at an alarming rate. Fatima Sana struck some lusty blows towards the end and remained unbeaten on 35 of 26b deliveries which included a couple of sixes which were struck with disdain. Eventually Pakistan could only muster 116 in their 20 overs, handing Australia a 44 runs victory.