Match 9: Australia vs Pakistan | Squads, Players to Watch, Fantasy Playing XI, Live Streaming, Pitch Report

The ninth fixture of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 promises an engaging contest as Australia Women take on Pakistan Women on October 8th at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. The action begins at 3:00 PM IST, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated encounters of the tournament.

Australia began their campaign in style against New Zealand, riding on Ashleigh Gardner’s explosive 115 off 83 balls, which lifted them from 128/5 to 327, propelling Australia to a commanding total. Their bowlers then took charge and sealed an emphatic 89-run win. Their second match, against Sri Lanka, was unfortunately washed out due to rain, with both teams sharing a point each.

Pakistan, on the other hand, have endured a difficult start. Against Bangladesh, their batting collapsed for just 129, resulting in a seven-wicket defeat. In their second outing versus India, Pakistan bowled well to restrict them to 247 but faltered again with the bat, managing only 159 and going down by 88 runs.

Squads:

Australia Women’s Cricket Team

Alyssa Healy (C), Darcie Brown, Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham

Pakistan Women’s Cricket Team

Fatima Sana (C), Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (VC), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Nashra Sandhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz, Syeda Aroob Shah

Players to watch out:

Phoebe Litchfield

The young opener continues to impress with her composure and flair. Her quickfire 45 off 31 balls against New Zealand set the tone for Australia’s innings, displaying crisp stroke play and maturity well beyond her years. In just 30 ODIs, Litchfield has already notched up 1028 runs, including the highest score of 119, and has become one of Australia’s most consistent run-getters. Her adaptability against both pace and spin will be vital on the slower Colombo surface.

Kim Garth

Against New Zealand, she steadied Australia’s innings with a vital 38 off 37 balls, helping lift the side to a commanding total after an early collapse. Later, her tight spell of 0/34 from 8 overs maintained pressure on the opposition during the chase. Across 59 ODIs, she has accumulated 582 runs (HS: 72*) and 59 wickets (BB: 4/11), underlining her versatility. Her ability to strike crucial partnerships lower down the order and deliver with the new ball makes her a key link in Australia’s balanced lineup.

Natalia Parvaiz

After a quiet start against Bangladesh, where she scored 9 off 14, Natalia Parvaiz showed signs of form with a composed 33 off 46 against India. Known for her steady middle-order presence, she has featured in 13 ODIs, scoring 255 runs (HS: 73) and taking 1 wicket. Her ability to rotate strike and handle spin efficiently will be crucial if Pakistan are to build partnerships and post a competitive total against a strong Australian attack.

Nashra Sandhu

Pakistan’s premier left-arm spinner, Nashra Sandhu remains central to their bowling strategy. While she has not had a standout performance yet in this tournament — 0/27 (3.1 overs) against Bangladesh and 1/52 (10 overs) versus India — her wicket of Jemimah Rodrigues showcased her knack for breakthroughs. With 105 wickets from 77 ODIs (BB: 6/26), Nashra’s ability to control the middle overs and apply pressure could be decisive against Australia’s aggressive batting lineup.

Pitch:

The R. Premadasa Stadium typically offers early assistance to batters, with an average first-innings total around 288. As the match progresses, spinners come into play — especially under lights — making control during the middle overs crucial. Teams may prefer to bowl first, taking advantage of early moisture and chasing under more stable evening conditions.

Weather:

Expect partly cloudy skies in Colombo with temperatures near 31°C and humidity around 70%. There’s a 10% chance of rain, potentially causing short interruptions. A gentle 16 kph breeze may offer some movement for swing bowlers in the initial overs.

Fantasy Playing XI:

Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Phoebe Litchfield, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Sophie Molineux, Fatima Sana, Sidra Amin, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui, Diana Baig

Match Details:

Date – October 8, 2025

Time – 3:00 PM IST

Venue – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Broadcast – Live on Star Sports Network | Streaming on JioCinema