In the lead-up to the forthcoming, International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s Twenty20 (T20) World Cup, Australia, and Pakistan play their final series. The opener of the 3-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series got underway in North Sydney Oval which had the Australian domination on display.
1st innings: Pakistan – 118/10 (20.0)
Pakistan batting first had a decent start as Javeria Khan played well, but a struggling Muneeba Ali on the other end departed for 8(12) with 27 on board in the 5th over. A mini-collapse saw Pakistan lose 4 for 6 runs as the scoreline read 32/4 following Javeria’s dismissal on 16(21). Nida Dar’s brief 9-run stay helped Pakistan calm the chaos and Omaima Sohail then went on to rebuild Pakistan’s innings, alongside Ayesha Naseem. The crucial 37-run stand between the pair saw curtains in the 16th over with Ayesha departing on 24(20). Adding to Pakistan’s upset was Omaima then as she failed to late fire and departed for 30(36) early in the 18th over with 108 on board. Aiman Anwer’s 8-ball 9 pushed Pakistan to post a respectful total of 118.
Australia with the ball had senior pro, Megan Schutt lead the wickets column with stunningly good figures of 5/15 off her 4 pvers. Ellyse Perry and Alana King, with a couple each followed, while Jess Jonassen had one wicket to her name.
2nd innings: Australia – 119/2 (13.4)
Australia in reply had Ellyse Perry and Meg Lanning open the innings, and the 19-run stand between the two came to a close with Meg departing on 14(8). Ellyse was then joined by Tahlia McGrath (16-ball 14) for a 36-run stand that helped Australia build towards a good finish that did come Australia’s way with Ashleigh Gardner powering Australia to the finish line, while Perry brilliantly switches gears in the outing. The pair of Perry and Gardner put on a 64-run stand to seal the win for Australia in 13.4 overs and in doing so finished unbeaten on respective scores of 57(40) and 30(19).
Pakistan with the ball had Nida Dar and Sadia Iqbal claim a wicket each off the couple that Australia lost during the run chase.
Australia continue their winning ways, beating Pakistan by 8 Wickets in 1st T20I
Ellyse Perry scored an unbeaten 57 in 40 Balls,
Ashleigh Gardner 30* in 19 balls. #CricketTwitter #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/sAZQBTi7n6— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) January 24, 2023
Result: Australia won by 8 wickets
The 2nd T20I that’s scheduled for the 26th of January in Hobart turns out to be a do-or-die game for Pakistan to stay alive in the series, as Australia with the dominant win go 1-0 up in the 3-match series.