BENGALURU — Beth Mooney’s masterful, unbeaten century rescued Australia from a precarious position and steered them to an ultimately resounding 62-run victory over a spirited Pakistan, preventing one of the biggest shocks in Women's World Cup history.
Chasing a daunting 281 for victory at Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Pakistan's top order launched a stunning assault, reducing the world champions to a state of genuine panic at 56 for 3 and then 107 for 4. However, Mooney’s composed 109* anchored a formidable total of 284 for 7, a score that proved insurmountable despite a valiant fight from the Pakistani batters.
A Shaky Start and a Rescuing Hand
The match began in familiar fashion for the all-conquering Australians, but the script was quickly torn up. After being put into bat, Alyssa Healy fell early, and while Phoebe Litchfield (34) and Ellyse Perry (37) built a platform, the innings lacked its usual explosive momentum. The turning point came when Pakistan’s spinners, led by the impressive Sadia Iqbal and Nashra Sandhu, applied a chokehold in the middle overs.
Wickets fell at regular intervals, and the scoreboard pressure mounted. At 107 for 4 in the 25th over, with Perry and Ashleigh Gardner back in the pavilion, an unthinkable Australian collapse was on the cards. It was in this pressure cooker environment that Beth Mooney, initially watchful, began to construct her innings. She found a crucial partner in Tahlia McGrath (28), with whom she added 50 runs to steady the ship.
Mooney's Masterclass Under Pressure
As the innings entered its final phase, Mooney shifted gears with surgical precision. She expertly manipulated the field, finding gaps with ease and punishing any loose deliveries. Her century, brought up off 115 balls, was a lesson in calculated aggression. She was particularly severe on the pacers in the death overs, ensuring Australia plundered 97 runs from the final 10.
Reflecting on her innings and the team's position, Mooney highlighted the importance of the partnership with McGrath. "We were under the pump there for a little while," she admitted post-match. "Tahlia and I just spoke about trying to get a partnership and rebuild, and we knew if we could get to the last 10 overs with wickets in hand, we could have a crack. It was nice to be there at the end and put a semi-competitive total on the board."
Pakistan's Brave and Unfulfilled Chase
In response, Pakistan came out with fearless intent. Openers Shawaal Zulfiqar and Sadaf Shamas took the attack to the Australian bowlers, a stark contrast to their recent struggles. Muneeba Ali’s brisk 16 and a fighting 49 from captain Bismah Maroof kept the required run rate within reach. At 150 for 3 in the 28th over, a historic upset was a genuine possibility, sending a jolt of excitement through the cricketing world.
However, the experience and depth of the Australian attack eventually told. Key breakthroughs from Ashleigh Gardner and Alana King, who took three wickets apiece, applied relentless pressure. The required run rate climbed, and the Pakistani middle order, despite a late flurry from Fatima Sana (25), succumbed to the mounting scoreboard pressure, eventually being bowled out for 222.
Turning Points and Key Performances
The match was defined by several critical moments where the momentum swung decisively. While Mooney’s century was the cornerstone, the collective effort in the face of adversity underscored Australia's champion mentality. The team's ability to post a winning total from a perilous position, and then defend it under fire, was a testament to their resilience.
Key contributions that shaped the match included:
- Beth Mooney's 109*: A chanceless innings that mixed patience with power, providing the backbone of the Australian total.
- Pakistan's Spinners: Sadia Iqbal (1/31) and Nashra Sandhu (2/43) were exceptional in the middle overs, stifling the flow of runs and building pressure.
- Alana King's 3/31: The leg-spinner’s crucial wickets in the middle order broke Pakistan's backbone and halted their momentum.
Post-Match Reactions and Looking Ahead
Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof, while proud of her team's fight, rued the missed opportunity. "The way the girls performed today, I'm really proud of them," she said. "We were in the game, but unfortunately we lost back-to-back wickets and that took the game away from us. We are improving day by day, and we will take a lot of confidence from this game."
Australian captain Alyssa Healy acknowledged the scare her team received, crediting Pakistan's performance. "Full credit to Pakistan, they certainly brought the fight to us today and put us under pressure," Healy stated. "It's a great lesson for our group that we can find different ways to win. For Beth Mooney to stand up in a big moment like that and get us to a total we could defend was exceptional."
Conclusion: A Warning and a Statement
Australia’s victory, while extending their winning streak, served as a stark reminder of the growing competitiveness in women's cricket. Pakistan, long considered underdogs, proved they can compete with the very best on their day. For Australia, the match was a valuable test of character. It demonstrated that even when their famed top order fails to fire, they possess the depth and cool-headedness in players like Beth Mooney to dig deep and find a way to win.
The final margin of 62 runs looks comfortable on paper, but the story of the match was anything but. It was a day where Beth Mooney, with her impeccable timing and unflappable temperament, single-handedly rescued her team from the brink and in doing so, prevented a seismic upset in the World Cup landscape.