COLOMBO – Beth Mooney’s brilliant century and a dominant bowling display powered Australia to a commanding 107-run victory over Pakistan in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday.
Chasing 222, Pakistan faltered once again and were bundled out for just 114 in 36.3 overs — their third straight defeat in the tournament. Sidra Amin fought a lone battle, top-scoring with 35 off 52 balls, while Rameen Shamim (15) and skipper Fatima Sana (11) were the only other batters to reach double figures.
Kim Garth led Australia’s bowling with 3 for 14, supported by Megan Schutt and Annabel Sutherland with two each, while Ashleigh Gardner, Alana King, and Georgia Wareham grabbed one apiece. The victory lifted Australia to the top of the standings with five points from three games.
Batting first, Australia recovered from early trouble to post 221/9 in 50 overs, thanks to Mooney’s masterclass and a record ninth-wicket stand with Alana King. The innings crumbled to 75/6 before Mooney (109 off 114) and King (51 not out off 49) added a crucial 106-run partnership.
Earlier, Pakistan’s bowlers had dominated the first half. Nashra Sandhu (3/37) and Rameen Shamim (2/32) dismantled Australia’s top order, while Fatima Sana, Sadia Iqbal, and Diana Baig claimed one wicket each.
But Mooney’s grit and King’s late flourish turned the game around, setting up an unassailable target that Pakistan’s fragile batting line-up failed to challenge.
