AUS vs PAK, Women’s ODI World Cup: Mooney century rescues Australia, sets up big win over Pakistan

Champions are made from the clay of hard work in the off-season. But ever so often, winners come about purely through bravery. One spark is enough to create a moment to cherish for posterity.

This could have been the epilogue of a famous win for Pakistan against Australia in its Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 league fixture at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday, if it hadn’t ruined one of the best bowling efforts in this edition of the showpiece.

The Australian batting order was reduced to 76 for seven with Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal, and Rameen Shamim taking a combined six wickets for just 98 runs in their 30 overs. However, a carefully ground out century from Beth Mooney and a crucial fifty by Alana King helped Australia recover to 221 for nine, after which the seamers put a struggling Pakistan chase to bed and sealed a 107-run win.

After Bangladesh’s bowling brilliance against England the day before, Pakistan seemed poised to do one better and potentially wrap up the Australian innings for a paltry score after opting to field on a hot, humid afternoon. The top and middle order showed an utter lack of application, trying to score too quickly on a slow surface.

But Mooney’s 114-ball 109, her fifth century in the format, stood out. Adept footwork and the ability to rotate strike blunted Fatima Sana’s aggressive fields. Mooney’s effort allowed Australia to put up a fight and erase the embarrassing show in the early hours of the game.

She found support from Kim Garth (47-ball 11) and King, who smacked three fours and three sixes to aid Australia’s 81-run flourish in the final 10 overs, 53 of those coming off the last five. A usually disciplined Diana Baig missed her mark and was targeted by Australia. She conceded 74 runs in her spell.

Chasing 100 more than they would have liked, Pakistan crumbled like nine pins against Australia’s relentless pace battery. Sidra Amin with a 52-ball 35 offered resistance, but, in the end, structure and stability triumphed over spirit.

Published on Oct 08, 2025