Australia stay unbeaten in Women’s World Cup after dominating Pakistan

Australia have raced to the top of the Women’s World Cup standings with a swift seven-wicket win over Pakistan. Alyssa Healy’s 72 helped Australia chase down Pakistan’s 190-6 with 92 balls to spare.

Pakistan improved from their first-up defeat of India and rallied from 44-4 thanks to a 99-run stand from Aliya Riaz and Bismah Maroof. With her seven-month-old daughter Fatima in the stands, Maroof struck an unbeaten 78, repelling the spin-heavy Australian attack.

However, Australia’s top order made short work of the below-par total with Healy making her best World Cup score. The tournament favourites were always likely to triumph against the World Cup’s lowest-ranked side and made sure of it with a professional display at Tauranga’s Bay Oval.

Australia made two changes from their first-up win over England on Sunday, dropping Darcie Brown and resting Tahlia McGrath, who had a sore heel. Into the side came Nicola Carey, making her World Cup debut, and spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington who was favoured on the turning wicket.

But it was Australia’s seam attack that did the early damage. Megan Schutt and Ellyse Perry removed openers Sidhra Amin and Nahida Khan, both caught in the slips cordon to leave Pakistan reeling at 2-11.

National team bolter Alana King, fresh from her star turn against England, then produced another stunner to dismiss Omaima Sohail. The leg-spinner, Australia’s best bowler with 2-24, squeezed a delivery through Sohail’s bat and pad which struck the top of the middle stump.

Wellington then took her first international wicket in four years, with Lanning called into action in the slips again to pouch a heavy outside edge. Riaz and skipper Maroof then frustrated Australia for 30 overs, tallying Pakistan’s best