Ellyse Perry delivered a match-winning all-round performance as Australia thrashed Pakistan by 113 runs to move a step closer to the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. The dominant victory in Leeds leaves the tournament favourites on the brink of qualification from Group A ahead of their final league fixture against India. Australia posted a formidable 199/7 after being asked to bat, with Perry leading the charge through a superb knock of 71.
Pakistan never managed to recover during the chase as Australia’s bowlers dismantled the innings, dismissing them for just 86. Perry also made her mark with the ball, claiming 2/9 in a brilliant spell that included two wickets in her opening over.
The 113-run triumph became Australia’s second-largest winning margin in Women’s T20 World Cup history, narrowly behind England’s 114-run victory over Pakistan in the previous edition. Australia have now won all four of their group matches and possess a healthy net run-rate heading into their blockbuster clash against India at Lord’s.
PERRY ANCHORS AUSTRALIA
Australia’s innings began on a disastrous note when Beth Mooney departed without scoring. Sadia Iqbal induced an outside edge, and Gull Feroza completed a stunning diving catch at slip to send the wicketkeeper back.
The early blow only brought the experienced Perry to the crease sooner, and she immediately shifted the momentum. Consecutive boundaries through the off side and midwicket signalled Australia’s attacking intent.
Georgia Voll matched Perry’s aggression as the pair quickly rebuilt the innings. Perry even scooped Diana Baig over the wicketkeeper, while the duo raced to a half-century partnership inside five overs.
Perry continued to dominate, clearing the ropes off Rameen Shamim, while Voll kept the scoreboard ticking. Australia crossed the 100-run mark in the 10th over thanks to Voll’s powerful straight drive.
Pakistan finally broke the stand when Nashra Sundhu dismissed Voll for 39 after Iram Javed held onto a catch. The fielding side struck again almost immediately as Ash Gardner fell for a duck, picking out Diana Baig in the deep.
Although Perry completed a composed half-century, Australia briefly lost momentum. Georgia Wareham was dismissed for five after slicing Rameen to Gull Feroza, reducing the score to 107/4.
Annabel Sutherland then injected fresh energy with a brisk 27 from just 18 balls, adding 44 valuable runs alongside Perry before Fatima Sana produced an excellent running catch to dismiss her.
Perry’s impressive innings finally ended on 71 when she gloved a short delivery from Fatima Sana to Muneeba Ali behind the stumps. Captain Sophie Molineux also fell cheaply, bowled by Sadia Iqbal, but Nicola Carey provided a late flourish with an unbeaten 26 from only 13 deliveries to lift Australia to 199/7.
PAKISTAN CRUMBLE AS AUSTRALIA BOWLERS DOMINATE
Pakistan made a lively start through Muneeba Ali, who struck an authoritative boundary off Kim Garth. However, a mix-up while attempting a run after a wide resulted in Gull Feroza being run out, handing Australia an early breakthrough.
Saira Jabeen soon followed after finding Ash Gardner in the deep, but Muneeba continued to attack despite Beth Mooney requiring treatment after a couple of heavy dives behind the stumps.
Australia missed an opportunity when Mooney dropped Muneeba, and the opener capitalised by hitting both a four and a six off Garth. Pakistan’s momentum was interrupted again when Ayesha Zafar was run out without scoring following another misunderstanding between the wickets.
Iram Javed briefly counterattacked, smashing three successive boundaries off Gardner to help Pakistan reach 50/3 at the end of the powerplay.
Georgia Wareham then turned the tide with an immediate breakthrough, dismissing Iram for 14 after the batter chopped the ball onto her stumps during a wicket-maiden over.
Muneeba attempted to keep Pakistan in contention but fell for 32 from 25 balls, hooking Perry’s first delivery straight to Gardner in the deep.
Fatima Sana responded with a couple of boundaries against Perry, but Aliya Riaz edged behind to Mooney soon after. Pakistan’s running errors continued to hurt them, with Rameen Shamim becoming the third batter to be run out in the innings.
Sophie Molineux removed Nashra Sundhu as Pakistan slipped further into trouble, while Fatima’s aggressive 17 came to an end when she miscued Annabel Sutherland.
Sutherland wrapped up the contest by having Sadia Iqbal caught behind, completing a commanding Australian performance that kept their unbeaten record intact and reinforced their status as one of the favourites for the title.
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