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Pakistan suffer their second defeat in a row in the ongoing Women’s World Cup 2022 on March 8. Meg Lanning-led Australia registered a comprehensive victory as they chased down a total of 191 with seven wickets in hand and 15.2 overs left in the innings. The only positive was skipper Bismah Maroof scoring an unbeaten 78 alongside Aliya Riaz's 53.
Too many wickets lost
After winning the toss, Lanning chose to field first. Pakistan openers failed to make a mark as Sidra Ameen and Nahida Khan registered scores of 2 and 9 respectively. New-ball bowlers Ellyse Perry and Mega Schutt got the early wickets to Pakistan under pressure straightaway. Omaima Sohail looked promising at the start but got bowled by Alana King. Veteran Nida Dar did not stay long at the crease either as she could add only five runs to the scoreboard.
Bismah, Aliya save Pakistan
With Pakistan down to 44/4 in the 13th over, Bismah found her partner in Aliya to steady the ship. The two batters did not score quickly but got Pakistan to a respectable score. Aliya got out for 109-ball 53 whereas Bismah remained unbeaten for 78 off 122 deliveries. The 30-year-old dedicated her half-century to daughter Fatima. In the end, lower-middle order batters Fatima Sana and Diana Baig scored some quick runs and helped Pakistan post a respectable total of 190/6.
Dropped chances
Chasing an ordinary total of 191, Pakistan needed early wickets but their fielders let them down. Both openers Alyssa Healy and Rachael Haynes got one reprieve each in the powerplay overs. Aliya dropped Alyssa's catch at mid-wicket whereas Nida put down a sitter off his own bowling.
Easy run chase
Australia made Pakistan pay for the dropped catches. Alyssa went on to score 72 runs off 79 deliveries whereas Rachael scored run-a-ball 34. Nashra Sandhu got the first breakthrough but Australia had got a fiery start with 60 runs on the board in the 11th over.
Skipper Lanning contributed too with a 37-ball 35. Omaima got the wickets of Meg and Alyssa but there was no scoreboard pressure at all to trigger an Australian batting collapse. Ellyse and Beth Mooney stayed not out for 26 and 33 respectively to finish off the run chase with 92 deliveries left in the innings.
Australia on top, Pakistan at bottom
This was Australia's second win on the trot which has taken them to the top of points table. On the other hand, Pakistan are at the bottom of the table with two consecutive wins. They lost their campaign opener against arch-rivals India by 107 runs.
