Ellyse Perry's 71, double strikes hand hapless Pakistan 4th defeat in a row, Australia almost through to semis

All-rounder Ellyse Perry starred with an all-round show as Australia handed Pakistan 113-run defeat at Headingley, Leeds. Already out of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal race, Pakistan suffered their fourth defeat on the trot. Australia continued to march on and have practically booked a berth in the semifinals.

Ellyse anchors Australia’s big total

Australia skipper Sophie Molineux won the toss and opted to bat first. Their star batter Beth Mooney fell for a golden duck to Sadia Iqbal as Gull Feroza took a one-handed stunner at slip. Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana looked off colour and conceded 17 runs in her first over. Ellyse went on a boundary-hitting spree in the powerplay overs. Australia were 64/1 after six overs. Ellyse continued to dominate whereas Georgia Voll played second fiddle. In the 10th over, Nashra Sandhu broke the partnership with Voll's wicket. The opener scored 39 runs from 28 balls. In the same over, she dismissed Ashleigh Gardner for a two-ball duck.

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In the next over, Ellyse completed her half-century from 30 balls but Georgia Wareham got out next ball. Annabel Sutherland took the pressure off Ellyse as Australia progressed towards a big score. In the 17th over, Annabel lost her wicket to Rameen Shamim. She contributed with an 18-ball 27 cameo. In the next over, Fatima ended Ellyse's stay at the crease. The veteran all-rounder scored 71 runs from 48 balls, including nine fours and a six. Nicola Carey continued to find boundaries. In the penultimate over, Sophie got bowled by Sadia. Nicola remained unbeaten for a 13-ball 26 as Australia posted 199/7 on the board.

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Ellyse, Sophie and run outs lead to Pakistan 89 all out

In the run chase, Pakistan lost their first wicket in form a run out in the second over. The hesitation led to Gull's wicket. Skipper Sophie came into the attack and got the wicket of Saira Jabeen. Muneeba Ali tried to use the powerplay overs, hitting Kim Garth for a four and a six. Another Pakistan batter got run out after mix-up with Muneeba. Ayesha Zafar was dismissed for a four-ball duck. In the sixth over, Iram Javed hit Ashleigh for three consecutive fours. Pakistan were 50/3 after powerplay overs. In the next over Wareham knocked over Iram. Ellyse was brought into the attack and she delivered with wickets of Muneeba and Aliya Riaz. Pakistan lost six wickets for 74 runs.

In the next over, Sophie struck twice as well, dismissing Rameen and Nashra. Fatima couldn't revive the run chase and lost her wicket to Annabel. The Aussie all-rounder got the wicket of Sadia as well to bowl out Pakistan for 86 as Australia registered a massive 113-run victory. On the basis of net run rate (NRR), Australia are highly likely to advance to semifinals even if they lose to India in their last group stage match. On the other hand, Pakistan will look to bow out with at least one win as they face Netherlands on June 27.