LONDON – Australia scored 290/8 in 50 overs against Pakistan in an important ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 match at Grace Road in Leicester. Pakistan team was dismissed for 131 as Australian team notched their fourth straight win by a 159-run margin.
Earlier, Australia won the toss and elected to bat first. Defending champions Australia have won their first three matches at the Women’s World Cup but their all-rounder Ellyse Perry says the team is solely focused on taking each game as it comes.
Six-time champions Australia are tied with India at six points from three games each but placed second owing to India’s better net run-rate, while Pakistan is still looking for their first points after doing well in patches against South Africa and India.
Pakistan impressed in the bowling department against India with Nashra Sundhu taking an impressive four for 26.
But it was massively let down in the batting department with Sana Mir (29) and Bibi Nahida (23) being the only players to reach double figures as it was bowled out for just 74.
Bowler Diana Baig though is looking at the positives ahead of the crunch game with Australia.
The bowler said: “We’re trying to prepare for the next matches and we’re positive for the Australia match that we will do something.”
“It’s an amazing feeling to play against Australia, but it’s just a team. I want to play against the next team.”
“Our fielding and bowling were 100 per cent but our batting (against India) didn’t click and we will bounce back in our next match.”
Squads
Pakistan: Sana Mir (captain), Asmavia Iqbal, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Ghulam Fatima, Iram Javed, Javeria Wadood, Kainat Imtiaz, Marina Iqbal, Bibi Nahida, Nain Abidi, Nashra Sundhu, Sadia Yousaf, Sidra Nawaz and Waheeda Akhter
Australia: Meg Lanning (captain), Sarah Aley, Kristen Beams, Nicole Bolton, Alex Blackwell, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda Vakarewa, Elyse Villani and Amanda Jade Wellington
Umpires: Sue Redfern and Anil Chaudhary
Match referee: David Jukes.
