SYDNEY: Despite an improved performance, Pakistan were unable to avoid a women’s ODI series whitewash to Australia as they fell to a 101-run loss in the third match at the North Sydney Oval on Saturday.

Chasing an imposing 337 to win after Beth Mooney hit her third ODI century and Australia posted their fourth-highest score in history, Pakistan showed encouraging signs as they batted out the full complement of 50 overs but could only finish on 235-7.

Pakistan’s top four scored 167 runs, more than the entire team managed in each of the first two ODIs, with captain Bismah Maroof contributing 44 but Ash Gardner took 3-30 as the tourists fell once again to the world champions.

Gardner bowled Sidra Amin (34) out of the rough and later went through Bismah.

There was a moment of confusion with Nida Dar on five, when she pulled away from a Tahlia McGrath ball at the last moment and it cannoned into her stumps. The ball was declared dead and Dar was able to continue batting before she later fell to Annabel Sutherland on 29.

Earlier, the left-handed Mooney reached triple figures in just 91 deliveries in the dead rubber, helping the hosts register 336-9.

Mooney plundered 14 boundaries and four sixes before she was stumped in the 36th over for 133, her highest score in ODI cricket. It was also the highest individual score in women’s ODIs at North Sydney Oval.

Australian captain Meg Lanning struck 72 from 70 with Fatima Sana ending as Pakistan’s best bowler with 3-53.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2023