Australia moved a step closer to securing a place in the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals after a dominant 113-run victory over Pakistan on Tuesday in London. Ellyse Perry was the standout performer for Australia, scoring 71 runs off 48 balls and claiming two wickets as Pakistan were dismissed for just 86 runs.
Batting first, Australia posted a competitive total of 199 for 7. Perry’s aggressive innings anchored the team’s strong batting display. In response, Pakistan struggled to build partnerships, with Muneeba Ali top-scoring with 32 before being caught at mid-wicket off Perry’s bowling. Pakistan’s innings further unravelled with three run outs contributing to their collapse.
The win extended Australia’s unbeaten run in the group stage to four matches, maintaining their position at the top of the standings. The six-time T20 World Cup champions will face India on Sunday in a crucial group clash that will likely determine semifinal seeding.
Pakistan, meanwhile, are already out of contention for the semi-finals, having lost all four group matches in the tournament hosted by England. Their early exit was confirmed ahead of the next round of play as they fell behind the competition’s leading teams.
Elsewhere in the tournament, New Zealand kept slim hopes of defending their title alive by defeating Scotland by six wickets. Chasing 132 runs set by Scotland at Bristol, New Zealand benefited from a century partnership between Izzy Sharp, who scored 62, and Brooke Halliday, who added 41 runs. Scotland’s innings was bolstered by Darcey Carter’s unbeaten 72, but it was not enough to prevent their elimination from the tournament.
New Zealand now require favorable outcomes from upcoming matches involving England and the West Indies to secure a semifinal berth. The English and West Indies teams will face each other in a match that has significant implications for New Zealand’s chances, who themselves will play against tournament hosts England in their final group match.
In another group game held in Bristol, Sri Lanka delivered a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Ireland with 27 balls remaining. Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu produced the highest individual score of the tournament so far, an unbeaten 106 from 61 balls featuring 17 fours and two sixes. Ireland’s innings was led by skipper Gaby Lewis, who top-scored with 59. Sri Lanka now aim to defeat Scotland in their forthcoming match and rely on other results to advance to the semi-finals.