COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: Beth Mooney produced a masterclass in resilience with an unbeaten century to lift Australia from a precarious position to a competitive total against Pakistan in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 clash at the R Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday.
Opting to bat first, Australia managed 221 for nine in their 50 overs, largely due to Mooney’s brilliant 109 not out and her record ninth-wicket partnership with Alana King. The duo’s stand transformed the innings after Pakistan’s bowlers had dominated the early overs.
Pakistan tighten grip early
Australia’s top order struggled to find rhythm against Pakistan’s disciplined bowling. Skipper Alyssa Healy and opener Phoebe Litchfield began cautiously with a 30-run stand before Sadia Iqbal dismissed Healy for 20 in the seventh over.
Litchfield fell soon after for 10, caught and bowled by Fatima Sana, leaving Australia wobbling at 30 for two.
Ellyse Perry briefly steadied the innings with Mooney but was stumped off Nashra Sandhu for five, triggering a collapse.
Sandhu struck again to remove Annabel Sutherland for one, while Rameen Shamim and Diana Baig joined in to leave Australia reeling at 75 for six inside 21 overs.
Rameen’s tidy spell further dented Australia’s hopes as she picked up two quick wickets, including Georgia Wareham for a duck. With the scoreboard reading 115 for eight, the innings seemed headed for an early finish.
Mooney and King mount fightback
Mooney, however, held firm. Showing remarkable composure, she rebuilt the innings alongside Kim Garth, adding 39 runs for the eighth wicket before Garth was stumped for 11 off Diana Baig. The left-hander then found an able partner in Alana King, who counter-attacked confidently.
The pair added 106 invaluable runs for the ninth wicket — the highest of the match — steering Australia past the 200-run mark.
Mooney reached her 20th ODI fifty and later converted it into a century, finishing unbeaten on 109 off 114 balls with 11 boundaries. King provided vital support, striking 51 not out from 49 deliveries, including three sixes and three fours.
For Pakistan, Nashra Sandhu was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3 for 37 in her 10 overs, while Rameen Shamim and Fatima Sana took two wickets apiece. Sadia Iqbal and Diana Baig chipped in with one each.
