Australia’s World Cup Dominance Tested: Pakistan Strike Back in Tense 80/7 Clash

At the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Australia Women faced Pakistan Women in a lopsided encounter of the ICC Women's World Cup 2025, with the defending champions asserting early dominance despite losing seven wickets for 80 runs in 23 overs. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana won the toss and elected to field, setting the stage for a potential chase on a pitch favoring spin.

Australia's innings saw quick blows, including Alyssa Healy's 20 off 23 balls caught by Diana Baig off Sadia Iqbal, Phoebe Litchfield's 10 off 22 dismissed by Fatima Sana, and Ellyse Perry's 5 off 11 stumped by Sidra Nawaz off Nashra Sandhu. Further wickets of Annabel Sutherland (1 off 5), Ashleigh Gardner (1 off 5), Tahlia McGrath (5 off 20), and Georgia Wareham (0 off 4) highlighted Pakistan's bowling resurgence, led by Nashra Sandhu's three wickets and Rameen Shamim's two.

Pakistan's Playing XI featured Muneeba Ali, Sidra Amin, Natalia Pervaiz, Sadaf Shamas, Eyman Fatima, Fatima Sana (c), Sidra Nawaz (w), Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sandhu, and Diana Baig, banking on their familiarity with the venue after recent outings. Australia countered with Alyssa Healy (w/c), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth, Alana King, and Megan Schutt, blending explosive batting with versatile bowling.

The match, broadcast live on Star Sports Network from 3 PM IST and streamed on JioHotstar, captivated fans as Australia aimed to build on their tournament-opening win over New Zealand, following a rain-abandoned clash against Sri Lanka.

Australia's unbeaten streak against Pakistan—spanning 16 ODIs without a single loss—looms large, with their closest margins in 2014 (37 runs and four wickets). Pakistan, winless after defeats to Bangladesh and India, grapples with batting inconsistencies and bowling lapses, managing only two 100-plus scores so far.

Their recent 2023 series whitewashes underscore Australia's superiority, where the Aussies have won 27 of 32 ODIs since the last World Cup, contrasting Pakistan's 13 wins in 34. Alyssa Healy's side, the only team to breach 300 runs this tournament, eyes another big total to streamline strategies ahead of tougher fixtures against England, India, and South Africa.

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As the match unfolds, Australia's pace attack led by Annabel Sutherland and spin wizardry from Sophie Molineux (in the broader squad) could exploit Pakistan's vulnerabilities on subcontinent wickets. For Pakistan, skipper Sana and pacer Diana Baig—fresh off a four-wicket haul against India—must stem the tide, but historical dominance and Australia's depth suggest a challenging day. With votes on the line for semi-final spots, this clash could define Pakistan's campaign, while Australia marches toward another title defense.

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