All-rounder Ellyse Perry prepares Australia for India’s match against Pakistan

Ellyse Perry produced a match-winning all-round performance as Australia beat Pakistan by 113 runs to move a step closer to the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. A dominant win in Leeds leaves the tournament favorites on the verge of qualifying from Group A ahead of their final league game against India. Australia posted an impressive 199/7 after being asked to bat, with Perry leading the charge with a brilliant knock of 71.

AUS vs PAK HIGHLIGHTS

Pakistan never managed to recover during the chase as the Australian bowlers dismantled the innings and dismissed them for just 86. Perry also came into her own with the ball, taking 2/9 in a brilliant spell that included two wickets in her opening over.

The 113-run triumph became Australia’s second-largest margin of victory in Women’s T20 World Cup history, just behind England’s 114-run victory over Pakistan in the previous edition. Australia have now won all four of their group matches and have a healthy clean sheet heading into their sensational clash with India at Lord’s.

PERRY ANCHORS AUSTRALIA

Australia’s innings got off to a disastrous start when Beth Mooney departed without scoring. Sadia Iqbal induced an outside edge and Gull Feroza completed a stunning catch at slip to send the keeper back.

The early morning only brought the experienced Perry to the crease earlier and she immediately set the pace. Subsequent boundaries through the off side and midwicket signaled Australia’s attacking intent.

Georgia Voll matched Perry’s aggression as the pair quickly rebuilt innings. Perry even scooped Diana Baig over the wicket as the duo raced to a half-century partnership in five overs.

Perry continued his dominance, clearing the ropes from Rameen Shamim while Voll kept the score. 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 the catch. The fielding side struck again almost immediately when Ash Gardner went for a duck and picked Diana Baig in the deep.

Although Perry completed the composed half-century, Australia briefly lost momentum. Georgia Wareham was dismissed for five years after chopping Rameen to Gull Feroza, reducing the score to 107/4.

Annabel Sutherland then injected fresh energy with a blistering 27 from just 18 balls to add 44 valuable runs alongside Perry before Fatima Sana took a superb running catch to dismiss her.

Perry’s impressive innings eventually ended on 71 when she gloved a short delivery from Fatima Sana to Muneeb Ali behind the stumps. Skipper Sophie Molineux also fell cheaply when she was bowled by Sadia Iqbal, but Nicola Carey provided the late success with an unbeaten 26 off just 13 deliveries to lift Australia to 199/7.

PAKISTAN THREATS AS AUSTRALIA DOMINATED BY BOWLERS

Pakistan got off to a lively start through Muneeb Ali hitting an authoritative boundary off Kim Garth. However, a mix-up when trying to run after Wide resulted in Gull Feroza being run out, giving Australia an early breakthrough.

Saira Jabeen soon followed after finding Ash Gardner in the deep but Muneeba continued the attack despite Beth Mooney requiring treatment after some heavy dives behind the stumps.

Australia squandered the opportunity when Mooney dropped Muneeba and capitalized on the opener with a four and a six by Garth. Pakistan’s momentum was broken again when Ayesha Zafar ended up not scoring after another misunderstanding between the wickets.

Iram Javed briefly counter-attacked and smashed three consecutive boundaries off Gardner to help Pakistan reach 50/3 at the end of the over.

Georgia Wareham then immediately turned the tide, dismissing Iram for 14 after the batter chopped the ball onto her stumps during the wicket shootout.

Muneeba tried to keep Pakistan in contention but fell for 32 off 25 balls, catching Perry’s first delivery straight to Gardner in the deep.

Fatima Sana responded with a couple of boundaries against Perry but Aliya Riaz fell behind Mooney soon after. Pakistan’s running errors continued to hurt them and Rameen Shamim became the third batsman to be dismissed in the innings.

Sophie Molineux removed Nashra Sundha as Pakistan ran into further trouble, while Fatima’s aggressive 17 came to an end when Annabel Sutherland failed.

Sutherland ended the contest by leaving Sadia Iqbal behind to complete a commanding Australian performance that maintained their unbeaten record and cemented their status as one of the title favourites.

– The end

Published on:

Jun 24, 2026 05:22 IST