Beth Mooney’s fantastic hundred, well supported by Alana King, and backed up by the bowlers, sealed a massive 107-run win for Australia Women against Pakistan Women in the 9th match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 on Wednesday (8th October) at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana decided to bowl first after winning the toss once again. They made just one change, replacing Eyman Fatima with Aliya Riaz. Australia also made a couple of changes, bringing in Georgia Wareham and Megan Schutt for Darcie Brown and Sophie Molineux.
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The opening stand between Alyssa Healy and Phoebe Litchfield lasted only 7 overs, as both openers were sent back in the space of 4 deliveries after only 30 runs were added. The Australian captain failed to convert her start, perishing for 20 to the bowling of Sadia Iqbal, followed by Litchfield, who was caught off her own bowling by Sana.
The pitch was on the slower side, allowing the Pakistani spinners to come into play. Things got worse for Australia as they slipped to 60/5, losing 3 wickets for just 5 runs, with Nashra Sandhu and Rameen Shamim doing the damage in the middle overs. The two spinners continued to apply pressure, taking two more wickets and leaving Australia reeling at 76/7 in 21.2 overs.
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However, Australia’s No. 4, Beth Mooney, reached her fifty under pressure. Kim Garth and Alana King provided her valuable support as Mooney kept the scoreboard ticking. Mooney first added 39 runs with Garth to take Australia past 100. Diana Baig contributed a little at the end but was dismissed by a brilliant stumping from Pakistan keeper Sidra Nawaz down the leg side.
Then Mooney and King took control. The duo made the bowlers toil and ensured runs kept coming. Mooney notched her maiden World Cup hundred, while King reached her maiden fifty. They set the record for the highest 9th-wicket partnership in Women’s ODIs with 106 runs off just 97 balls. Mooney was dismissed off the last ball of the innings after a brilliant 109. Australia added 145 runs for the 8th and 9th wickets combined to finish at 221/9.
On the bowling front, Sandhu was the pick for Pakistan with 3/37, while Shamim and Sana took two wickets each.
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In the chase, Pakistan never looked comfortable. The Australian opening bowlers not only applied constant pressure but also grabbed five wickets upfront. Apart from Sidra Amin, no batter was able to break free, similar to their previous game against India. The Australian bowlers mounted relentless pressure as Pakistan were reduced to 49 for 6 inside 13 overs.
The highest partnership of the Pakistan innings came for the 7th wicket. A 29-run stand between Amin and Shamim was broken by Ashleigh Gardner, with the former dismissed for 35. Georgia Wareham then struck in her first over to take Pakistan’s 8th wicket at 86.
Shamim and Sandhu hung in there for more than 11 overs, only delaying Australia’s victory. After batting for 36.3 overs, Pakistan were bowled out for 114, giving Australia their second win of the competition.
Brief Scores:
Australia Women – 221/9 (50) Beth Mooney 109, Alana King 51*, Nashra Sandhu 3/37, Rameen Shamim 2/29, Fatima Sana 2/49
Pakistan Women – 114 (36.3) Sidra Amin 35, Rameen Shamim 15, Kim Garth 3/14, Annabel Sutherland 2/15, Megan Schutt 2/25
Australia Women won by 107 Runs.
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