Three-time tournament winners, Australia powered to a 52-run win over Pakistan in the second match of the Women’s World T20 at the Providence Stadium yesterday.
Australia posted 165-5 while containing Pakistan to 113-8 from the full quota.
Wicket-keeper batsman, Alyssa Healy and her opening partner Beth Mooney missed out on half-centuries after both held out to fielders on the boundary ropes for 48 while their captain, Meg Lanning’s 41-run cameo propelled the team to the respectable total heading into the night with the ball turning.
Healy, speaking at the post match event said it was a good toss to win and was happy to be given the freedom to go out and “see ball, hit ball” while Pakistan’s Nida Dar felt 150 was a par score on the surface but pinpointed the slow bowlers, of which four were in the XI, as not doing their job.
Healy and Mooney were innovative in their shot selection and took on the Pakistani bowlers, putting on 72 for the first wicket. Healy looked to bring up her half century but only found Nadiha Khan on the long on boundary to depart after hitting eight fours and one six in her 29-ball innings.
Mooney followed her opening partner and attempted to up the scoring rate but was dismissed while essaying her seventh boundary.
Lanning shared a 36 partnership with Mooney as well as Ashleigh Gardner before the later departed for 13.
Lanning slapped three fours and a six before she stepped across to the leg side in order to give herself room for a fuller delivery on the offstump and got a bottom edge on a cross bat that deflected into the bottom of middle stump. The bowler was Aliya Raiz.
Elyse Villani was run out in the same over after being caught between a ‘yes-no’ 
calling with Rachel Haynes.
Pakistan lost wickets steadily to the young spinners from ‘down under’. Nineteen-year-old leg-break bowler, Georgia Wareham stifled the scoring with 2-18 from her three overs while 21-year-old off-breaker Gardner and Sophie Molineux with her left arm orthodox were economical.
Ayesha Zafar, while attempting a big swing, found the ball sneaking under her bat and rocketing into the stumps in the first over.
Nahida Khan was unlucky with a low delivery on the toe of her bat blasted back into the hands of Delissa Kimmince. Bismah Maroof top scored with 26 and was supported by Javeria Khan and Sana Mir with 20 and 21 not out respectively.
Healy was not spectacular behind the stumps but was effective after the Pakistan women looked hooked on using their feet to go down the wicket, giving her enough time to execute two stumpings both of which came on the second attempt.
