Australia beat Pakistan by 10 wickets to take unassailable lead in ODI series

This was Pakistan women’s first series defeat in the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25

PHOTO: AFP

Australian women beat Pakistan women by ten wickets at the Allan Border Field on Wednesday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.

This was Pakistan women’s team first series defeat in the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 after they have won their previous two series held last year.

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Chasing 126 to win, Australia’s opening batters Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield achieved the target in the 20th over. Litchfield, who scored an unbeaten half-century for her side in the first ODI, returned unbeaten on 67 from 61 balls, hitting ten boundaries. Wicketkeeper-batter Mooney scored 57 from 55 balls, which included six fours.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, Pakistan lost their opening batter Sidra Amin in the second over with two runs on the board. Muneeba, who went for naught in the first match, was joined by captain Bismah and the pair added 41 runs for the second wicket before Muneeba perished for 18 off 41 balls, including three fours.

In the previous match, half-centurion for Pakistan, Nida Dar again showed some resistance in the middle before she ran herself out at the non-striking end. She scored 24 off 38 balls, which included two fours. Bismah was another contributor, with the bat scoring 21 off 46 balls, hitting one-four.

For Australia, player of the match right-arm fast Darcie Brown took three wickets for 32, while Annabel Sutherland and Alana King bagged two wickets apiece.

Both sides will now feature in the third ODI scheduled to take place at the North Sydney Oval in Sydney on Saturday, 21 January 2023.

Scores in brief:

Australia women beat Pakistan women by ten wickets

Pakistan Women 125 all out, 43 overs (Nida Dar 24, Bismah Maroof 21; Darcie Brown 3-32, Annabel Sutherland 2-13, Alana King 2-25)

Australia Women 129-0, 19.2 overs (Phoebe Litchfield 67, Beth Mooney 57)

Player of the match – Darcie Brown (Australia)