Mount Maunganui: Australia underlined their status as Women’s Cricket World Cup favorites with a seven-wicket win over Pakistan at Mount Maunganui on Tuesday.
In-form opener Alyssa Healy led the six-time champions with a 79-ball 72, backed by skipper Meg Lanning’s 35 and Rachel Haynes’ 34.
Pakistan’s captain Bismah Maroof scored 78 and his team scored 190-6 after losing the toss and opting to bat.
Despite a much better performance in their first-round loss to India, Pakistan paid the price for a sluggish run rate.
All-rounder Alia Riaz scored 53 but it came off 109 balls while Australia’s top-order almost went on a run-a-ball.
The result puts Australia at the top of the tournament’s eight-team leaderboard, but leaves Pakistan at the bottom as they struggle to make the last four after two losses.
“Everyone is in really good form, we’ve all started and I think we’re all feeling well,” Lanning said.
“Pakistan did very well and made it difficult for us to take wickets so we were disciplined and kept that run rate under control.”
Pakistan’s total was never high enough against the formidable big hitters of Australia, who chased down the target with 15.2 overs to spare, finishing at 193-3.
Bismah said that Pakistan is not able to create pressure in the field.
“We could have stopped them, they gave us chances but we didn’t take advantage of it,” he said. “In fielding we could have done a lot better.”
Pakistan had to face defeat without a win against Australia in 13 ODIs. Pakistan face South Africa on Friday while Australia’s next challenge is against hosts New Zealand on Sunday.
women’s day special
Both Australia and Pakistan have made great strides in women’s cricket over the years and the match provided an opportunity for both teams to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD).
The biggest measure of women’s cricket’s progress at this IWD is that 29-year-old Bismah played the innings while her daughter Fatima, who was born in August, was in the pavilion. Bismah returned to international cricket six months after the birth of her daughter.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is sharing the cost to allow Bismah to travel with a support person of her choice to assist in the care of her newborn child.
Bismah’s mother took care of Fatima while her mother was at the crease and on the field.
“Of course it was very important for me to perform in this comeback and it is very special because my mother and daughter are here, so I wanted to make it count,” Bismah said.
Pakistan played India in their opening match over the weekend and India’s star batsman Smriti Mandhana described Bismah’s return to international cricket as inspirational.
“It is very inspiring to be back in six months post pregnancy and play international cricket,” Mandhana said on Instagram.
Mahroof is setting an example for the players across the world.
Brief Scores:
Pakistan 190-6 in 50 overs (Bismah)
78 not out, Aaliyah 53; kings 2-24); Australia 193-3 in 34.4 overs (Healey 72, Lanning 35, Haynes 34; Omama 2-39).
Published in Dawn, March 9, 2022