Australia Women’s dominance in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup continued with a resounding win against Pakistan. Ashleigh Gardner, known for her stellar all-round performances, once again proved why she is considered one of the top players in the tournament. Her brilliant spell of 4-21 helped dismantle Pakistan’s batting lineup, restricting them to a low total of 82 in 19.5 overs.
This victory marked Australia’s third consecutive win in the tournament, further cementing their reputation as the team to beat. Gardner’s bowling was nothing short of sensational, especially considering the pressure of the World Cup stage. She bowled with precision and control, completely choking Pakistan’s ability to score freely, particularly during the middle overs.
Pakistan’s innings got off to a shaky start as they lost early wickets. Gardner’s breakthroughs ensured that Pakistan could never recover, as her four-wicket haul sent the batting side into a downward spiral. The only resistance from Pakistan came from Aliya Riaz, who top-scored with 26 runs, but her efforts were not enough to post a competitive total. With support from fellow bowlers Annabel Sutherland and Georgia Wareham, who picked up two wickets each, the Australian bowling attack looked nearly invincible.
Once again, Australia’s fielding unit was top-notch, with Megan Schutt also making history by surpassing Nida Dar’s record to become the highest wicket-taker in women’s T20Is. Schutt’s milestone added yet another highlight to Australia’s powerful performance in the tournament.
In their chase of a modest 83-run target, Australia wasted no time. Alyssa Healy, despite retiring hurt after scoring 37 off just 23 balls, played a pivotal role in ensuring that Australia got off to a strong start. Her opening partnership with Beth Mooney laid the foundation for a comfortable chase. Even after Healy’s injury, Ellyse Perry stepped up, finishing unbeaten with 22 off 23 balls to guide Australia to victory in just 11 overs.
Gardner’s all-round contribution earned her the Player of the Match award, as her bowling dismantled Pakistan and set up an easy chase for Australia. This award further solidifies her status as a key player for Australia in their World Cup campaign. With her versatile skill set, she continues to be a game-changer for the Australian team.
For Pakistan, it was a disappointing performance, both with the bat and in the field. Their inability to build partnerships, coupled with dropped catches and missed opportunities, left them on the back foot throughout the game. Despite the promising bowling spells from Sadia Iqbal, who took the sole Australian wicket, and Syeda Aroob Shah, who created chances, Pakistan’s fielding mishaps allowed Australia to dominate the contest easily.
Australia’s victory keeps them firmly at the top of the table, while Pakistan’s chances of progressing in the tournament have now become slim after suffering their second defeat. With their next game against New Zealand, Pakistan will need a much-improved performance to keep their hopes alive.
Australia, on the other hand, looks like an unstoppable force, driven by key players like Gardner, Healy, and Schutt. The balance of their team, with both world-class batting and bowling options, makes them the frontrunners in this World Cup. If they continue performing at this level, it’s hard to see any team standing in their way as they aim to add yet another ICC trophy to their cabinet.