ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s hopes of staying alive in the ICC Women’s World Cup face a stern test on Wednesday as they take on defending champions Australia at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
Pakistan have had a poor start to the tournament, suffering back-to-back defeats against Bangladesh and India. Another loss, this time against the world’s top side, could all but end their chances of progressing, leaving captain Fatima Sana’s team with little margin for error.
The challenge could not be tougher. Pakistan have never beaten Australia in any format of women’s international cricket.
In 16 ODIs between the two sides, the closest Pakistan have come was a 37-run defeat and a four-wicket loss, both more than a decade ago. Their most recent series in 2023 ended in heavy defeats by eight wickets, 10 wickets and 101 runs.
Australia, meanwhile, arrive in Colombo in near-invincible form. Since the last World Cup, they have won 27 of their 32 matches, with only four defeats. They began this campaign with a dominant victory over New Zealand before their second game against Sri Lanka was washed out.
Pakistan’s batting, already under scrutiny after failing to play out 50 overs in either of their first two matches, will need to show much greater discipline. Senior batter Sidra Amin, one of the few bright spots with a fighting half-century against India, admitted the team had been guilty of throwing away overs and allowing pressure to build.
“We are a good batting side, but we need to spend more time on the wicket and play the maximum overs,” she said on Tuesday.
Bowling has also lacked consistency. Extras, dropped catches, and erratic spells have cost Pakistan dearly, though Diana Baig’s four-wicket haul against India offered some encouragement. Much will depend on spinner Nashra Sandhu, Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker in recent years, to find her rhythm.
For Australia, all eyes will be on Beth Mooney, who averages nearly 70 against Pakistan, and all-rounder Ellyse Perry, who praised Pakistan captain Fatima Sana as a “talisman” ahead of the clash.
Pakistan will hope that familiarity with Colombo’s tricky batting conditions can give them a slight edge. But with history and form stacked heavily in Australia’s favor, a defeat on Wednesday could leave Pakistan’s World Cup journey hanging by a thread.
