This Group 1 fixture in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 pits two teams with vastly different campaigns against each other. Australia Women have been flawless so far, sitting comfortably at the top of the standings with three wins from three matches and a dominant Net Run Rate of 4.391. The defending giants have looked unstoppable in every department, brushing aside opponents with clinical efficiency and already placing one foot firmly in the semi-finals.
Pakistan Women, meanwhile, find themselves in a desperate situation. They are yet to register a victory in the tournament, losing all three of their matches and currently occupying fifth place in the group with a Net Run Rate of -1.857. With their qualification hopes hanging by a thread, this clash against the tournament favourites represents a must-win encounter if they are to keep their campaign alive.
Squads:
Australia Women’s Cricket Team
Sophie Molineux (C), Tahlia McGrath (VC), Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham
Pakistan Women’s Cricket Team
Fatima Sana (C), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sandhu, Natalia Pervaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Sajira Jabeen, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan
Players to watch out:
Georgia Voll
Georgia Voll has enjoyed a sensational rise in international cricket and has quickly become one of Australia’s most dependable top-order batters. She has played in 15 innings and scored 536 runs with an average of 38.28 and a strike-rate of 154.02, along with one century and three half-centuries. She has carried that form into the World Cup and remains one of Australia’s biggest threats at the top of the order.
Annabel Sutherland
Annabel Sutherland continues to establish herself as one of the premier all-rounders in women’s cricket. Her recent bowling returns underline her impact, with 46 wickets from her 47 T20I innings at an economy rate of just 6.45. Capable of striking with both the new ball and in the middle overs, Sutherland gives Australia a genuine match-winning edge.
Fatima Sana
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana has once again led from the front despite her side’s struggles. The all-rounder has scored 780 runs in 42 innings at an excellent average of 33.91 while maintaining a strike rate above 136.84. Her ability to influence games with both bat and ball makes her Pakistan’s most valuable player heading into this crucial encounter. Overall, she has scored 780 runs in 42 innings and picked up 55 wickets.
Sadia Iqbal
Sadia Iqbal remains Pakistan’s primary wicket-taking weapon. The left-arm spinner has picked up 78 wickets in 62 T20I appearances while maintaining a superb economy rate of 5.87. Against a powerful Australian batting line-up, Pakistan will depend heavily on Sadia to provide breakthroughs and control the scoring rate through the middle overs.
Pitch:
Headingley, Leeds, has traditionally offered assistance to seam bowlers early in the innings, particularly when overhead conditions are cloudy. However, as the match progresses, the surface generally settles down and becomes more conducive for batting. The square boundaries are relatively short, encouraging aggressive stroke play, while spinners who vary their pace could find success during the middle overs.
Weather:
Temperatures are likely to hover around 20°C during the evening, with partly cloudy skies throughout the match. Rain is not expected to play a significant role, ensuring a full 20-over contest, while a gentle breeze could provide some assistance to the seamers during the powerplay.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Beth Mooney, Georgia Voll, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Fatima Sana, Aliya Riaz, Sadia Iqbal, Diana Baig
Match Details:
Date – June 23, 2026
Time – 11:00 PM IST
Venue – Headingley, Leeds
Broadcast – Star Sports Network & Jio Hotstar
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