LEEDS: Australia continued their dominant unbeaten run at the Women’s T20 World Cup on Tuesday as they thrashed Pakistan by 113 runs to all-but confirm a semi-final spot.
Ellyse Perry’s all-round show led the way for Australia at Headingley as she smashed 71 off 48 balls — studded with nine fours and a six — to help them post a solid 199-7 off the stipulated overs in the Group 1 match and then took two wickets for nine runs in her only over of the game as Pakistan were dismissed for a paltry 86.
Pakistan — who had already been eliminated from the 12-team showpiece after losing their three group matches to arch-rivals India, South Africa and Bangladesh — lost their fourth successive match at the hands of Australia, the six-time winners of the tournament.
Pakistan in their last group match face the Netherlands in Bristol on Saturday.
Opener Muneeba Ali’s 32 was Pakistan’s only worthwhile contribution against Australia before she was caught at mid-wicket off the first ball of Perry’s only over, while there were also three dismal run-outs as they were all out in 13.4 overs.
In contrast, Australia after electing to bat first, showcased their enviable depth once again to recover from Beth Mooney’s dismissal from the first ball of the game and the loss of three wickets in eight balls in the middle overs.
Gull Feroza’s magnificent one-handed diving catch accounted for Mooney before Perry and Georgia Voll, who cracked a 28-ball 39 laced with seven fours, added a counter-attacking 100 for the second wicket.
Voll, Ash Gardner and Georgia Wareham then fell in quick succession but Perry held firm in her masterful knock, before she was caught behind off Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana in the 18th over.
But all-rounders Annabel Sutherland and Nicola Carey ensured that Australia did not lose momentum as they contributed 27 off 18 and 26 not out off 13, respectively.
The group stage concludes with the blockbuster fixture between Australia and India on Sunday, which will likely decide the semi-finals.
Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2026
