Womens T20 World Cup 2026

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Done and dusted. Australia Women win by a massive 113 runs! Annabel Sutherland serves this fuller and outside off. Sadia Iqbal throws her bat at it but only gets a thick outside edge behind, where Beth Mooney moves to her left to take a sharp catch in front of her face. Another statement made by the Aussies.

WIDE! Back of a length but down the leg side, Sadia Iqbal misses her flick. Wided.

DRINKS! Well, the result is pretty much inevitable here, with Australia Women just one wicket away from the win now. They will want to wrap this up as quickly as possible, while for Pakistan Women, they are heading towards yet another crushing defeat in this World Cup. Also, Sadia Iqbal is the last batter in.

OUT! TOP EDGE AND CAUGHT BEHIND! Sana falls, and it is just a matter of when for Australia now. Short of a good length, on top of the sticks. Fatima Sana is rushed on the pull shot and only manages to get a fat top edge. The ball balloons up and over the keeper. Beth Mooney settles under it and she is not dropping those. A straightforward catch, easily gobbled up by Mooney. Pakistan Women are 85/9.

FOUR! Perfectly timed! Short from Sutherland, on top of middle and leg. Fatima Sana weighs back and pulls it neatly over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Back of a length, skidding through into the body. Fatima Sana hangs back and gets hurried to block. Gets an inside edge on the thigh pad.

Annabel Sutherland replaces Ashleigh Gardner.

Full on the stumps, drilled away to mid on.

Floated fuller around off. Diana Baig is sucked on the front foot to play the cover drive, but misses.

Drags the length back, on middle. Baig is rushed on the back foot and punches it to short cover. Oh, hang on! Australia have actually taken a review for LBW very late as they think the ball has hit the pad first and then the bat. But that is not the case. The replay shows that there is a clear contact with the bat. A shocking review and they burn one.

Tossed up, full on off. Baig pushes it back to Wareham.

A leg break, short and on off. Baig hangs back and stabs it back to the bowler.

Full and turning into the batter. Sana tucks it wide of mid on for a single.

WIDE! Fired down leg, too full. Sana tries to sweep but misses and the ball rolls to short fine leg. Diana is more than halfway for a bye, but Sana is quick to send her back in time.

The length is pulled back, on the leg stump. Diana Baig tries to nudge it to the leg side. But she misses to connect and is hit on the thigh pad before the ball drops beside the pitch on the leg side, collected by Mooney in the end.

JAFFA! Goes on with the arm, full around off. Baig leans to block, but the ball zips past her outside edge.

WIDE! Spins prodigiously down the leg stump, full in length. Diana shuffles inside the line to clip it away, but misses.

Short on middle, Sana pulls it to the right of Alana King at deep square leg for a run.

Sharp turn into the batter. Diana Baig tucks the length ball to mid-wicket for a run.

On a fractionally fuller length, on off. Sana pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Short and on off, Fatima Sana stays back and blocks it out.

Out goes Nashra Sundhu, in comes Diana Baig.

OUT! CASTLED! Sophie Molineux has her second now. This is the arm ball, full and on middle, angling in and skids through too. Nashra Sundhu moves back to clip it away but she needed to be on the front foot. She misses and the ball deflects off her pads to crash into the stumps behind.

Tossed up, full and on off, Nashra Sundhu taps it to short cover.

Would you believe it? Yet another communication breakdown from the Pakistan Women batters. Nashra Sundhu walks out to bat now.

OUT! RAMEEN SHAMIM IS RUN OUT! It's getting frustrating for Pakistan now. Another throw of a precious wicket. That's the third run out of the game for Pakistan. Dragged length around the off stump. Shamim pushes it to the right of extra cover and is off immediately. Fatima does not move an inch and is caught ball-watching. A run that was never there. Shamim is marooned halfway down the pitch by the time Voll scoops it up and feeds Mooney, who knocks the stumps over without breaking a sweat. Pakistan have done it to themselves again.

Quicker one again, full on middle. Rameen taps it across to the leg side.

Flat and full, spinning in. Rameen Shamim clips it to short mid-wicket.

Full in front of the stumps. Fatima Sana turns it to the right of Perry at mid-wicket for a single.

Going downhill very rapidly now for Pakistan. Rameen Shamim is in at number 8. Sophie Molineux (1-0-5-1) returns.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Double strike from Ellyse Perry. She lands this back of a length and on middle, jags back in and shoots up off the deck. Aliya Riaz gets surprised by it and her feet go nowhere. She just has a poke at it but the ball catches the shoulder of the bat before going behind, where Beth Mooney makes no mistake. It is going from bad to worse for Pakistan Women.

Hard length and on leg, Fatima Sana nudges it to deep square leg for one.

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! On a length but down the leg side, Fatima Sana glances it away wide of shrot fine. Alana King moves to her left and dives but gets undone by the uneven bounces and lets it through for four runs.

FOUR! Good shot! Touch fuller and on middle, Fatima Sana charges down the track and slogs it away to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

Good length and on middle and leg, Fatima Sana looks to clip it away but gets a bit of a leading edge that drops well in front of the bowler.

Talk about making an immediate impact. Captain Fatima Sana is in at number 7, with Pakistan needing 135 from 65 balls.

OUT! TAKEN IN THE DEEP! Ellyse Perry can do no wrong in this game. She strikes with her first ball. Perry bangs this into the pitch, around off. Muneeba Ali looks to take it on with a pull shot but hits it to the longer side. She connects well but the ball flies straight to deep mid-wicket, where Ashleigh Gardner comes forward and takes a good catch around her knees. Pakistan Women lose half their side now.

It's time for Ellyse Perry to roll her arm over. She replaces Annabel Sutherland.

Loopy delivery, full and on off, Muneeba Ali drives it to long off for one more.

Dragged back, around off, Aliya Riaz punches it to sweeper cover for one.

FOUR! Nicely done! Alana King gives just a fraction of width outside off, lands this short again. Aliya Riaz backs away and cuts it past the diving short third fielder for a boundary.

Short again, on middle, Muneeba Ali moves back and clips it towards mid-wicket for a run.

Drops it short and outside off, turns away, Aliya Riaz cuts it through point for a single.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Aliya Riaz uses her feet and turns it to square leg.

Alana King will start her spell now. Australia's seventh bowler so far. She replaces Georgia Wareham.

FOUR! Spoils the over a bit! Annabel Sutherland hits the length hard, around off, angling away. Muneeba Ali lets the ball come to her, deliberately opens the bat face late to steer it past short third for a boundary.

Dug into the surface, outside off, takes pace off, Aliya Riaz slaps it to sweeper cover for one.

Short of a length and on middle, nips back in, Aliya Riaz stays back and keeps it out to the off side.

Back of a length and on middle, Muneeba Ali opens up her stance and heaves it on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Hits the length hard, just around off, Muneeba Ali backs away but has to reach out and bunts it back to the bowler.

WIDE! Bangs in a sharp bouncer, on middle and leg, just a bit too high, Muneeba Ali lets it go. Wided.

Slower one, full and on off, Muneeba Ali drives it to mid off.

Annabel Sutherland is into the attack now. She replaces Ashleigh Gardner.

Maiden-wicket over! Drops it a bit short and on middle, Aliya Riaz moves back and keeps it out.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Aliya Riaz uses her feet and drives it straight to mid off.

Looped up, full and on off, Aliya Riaz drives it to mid off.

Flighted, full and on middle, Aliya Riaz clips it to mid-wicket.

Wareham breaks the budding stand for the third wicket and troubles keep rising for Pakistan. In walks Aliya Riaz at number 6.

OUT! DRAGGED ON! Georgia Wareham makes an instant impact. This is flatter, short and around off, turns away just a bit. Iram Javed moves back and looks to cut it away, but only manages to get an inside edge back onto the stumps. Pakistan Women are 50/4, chasing 200 runs.

Floated, full and around leg, Iram Javed gets down and paddles it to short fine.

DRINKS BREAK. Pakistan are under serious pressure and need a strong partnership to get back into the game. A couple of needless run outs haven't helped their cause at all. Muneeba, however, has looked positive from the word go, and Iram has displayed flashes of intent as well. But with 150 runs needed from 84 balls, it is a steep mountain to climb. Australia know that a couple of wickets here and they would be absolutely bossing the game here. With that said, Georgia Wareham has been brought into the attack now.

Flatter, full and on off, Muneeba Ali drives it to mid off. Pakistan Women are 50/3 at the end of the Powerplay!

Slows it up, full and on middle, Iram Javed tucks it towards mid-wicket for one. 50 up for Pakistan Women!

Quicker, short and on middle, Iram Javed blocks it out.

FOUR! Hat-trick of boundaries! Ashleigh Gardner is on her knees in a bit of a shock. This is flighted and on middle again. Iram Javed comes down the track and lifts with a much cleaner connection for a one-bounce four at long off.

FOUR! Two in two! Tossed up, full and on middle, Iram Javed uses her feet and lofts it with a straight bat. She gets more height but clears mid off with ease and gets another boundary.

FOUR! Up and over! Floated, full and around off, Iram Javed throws her hands at it and opens the bat face too, She slices it over point and the ball trickles to the fence for a boundary.

Final over of the Powerplay. Ashleigh Gardner is into the attack now, replacing Kim Garth.

Slower ball, full and around off. Muneeba stabs it to backward point. She is keen to get a run, but Iram sends her back in time.

FOUR! Well-timed! Short of a good length, on the fourth stump. Muneeba Ali presses back and pulls it over square leg for a boundary. Ali moves to 25 (16).

WIDE! Miles outside off, on a fuller length, curving away late. Muneeba does not move her feet and throws her hands at it. Misses out.

WIDE! Short and down the leg stump line. Muneeba walks inside the line to pull. Throws everything left in the tank, only to miss.

Good length and around off. Muneeba defends it out watchfully.

A touch full, on off. Javed tucks it off the inside edge to deep backward square leg for a single.

Full on off, Iram creams it straight to the short cover fielder.

Another mix-up, another run out for Pakistan Women and Muneeba Ali is involved yet again. Iram Javed comes out to the middle now.

OUT! AYESHA ZAFAR IS RUN OUT! Another mix-up and that's the 7th run out for Pakistan in this World Cup, informs Charles Dagnall on air. As it is said, never run on a misfield. Over the wicket, pitched up around off, swinging away. Zafar leans into the drive and pushes it to the left of cover. The fielder, Sophie Molineux, dives and pulls off a sharp stop. Ayesha has already set off for the single but Muneeba has not moved a muscle. Sophie gets up quickly, fires the ball with her left hand to Mooney, and the keeper does the rest, breaking the stumps with Zafar stranded well short of her ground. Pakistan Women are 30/3 in 4.1 overs, chasing 200 runs.

Lucy Hamilton is back on.

On a fuller length, around off. Muneeba Ali plays at it off the front foot, but the ball nips in and takes the inside edge. Gets squirted to the square leg region.

SIX! Oh, hello? That's come out of nowhere. Full in length from around the stump. Muneeba picks the length in a trice, sits down on her knee and nails the sweep shot with no intentions to keep it along the ground. She sails it comfortably over deep square leg for a massive six.

Oh, dear! Mooney is really battling with a lot of pain in her right hand. She has taken another hit to the same hand and the physio is in once again. It is getting taped up even more and Mooney is going to carry on.

DROPPED? Yes. It will go down as a chance. Back of a length, drifting down leg, swinging in. Muneeba gets a tickle on it and Mooney dives to her right, extends her right hand, and gets a bit of glove on it. The ball clips the fingertips and deflects away to the left of short fine leg and they scamper through for two. But the bigger story is Mooney, who is grimacing in pain out there and appears to have taken another hit on the same right hand. A dropped chance, and a concerning moment behind the stumps for Australia as the physio is out again for Mooney.

FOUR! Into the gap and that will give her a lot of confidence! Short on the leg stump line. Muneeba Ali uses the pace and pulls it towards long leg for a boundary.

Nails the yorker, on middle and leg. Ali scuffs it out to the leg side.

Good length around fourth stump at 109.6 kph. Muneeba shuffles across and looks to swipe it across the line but gets herself into a complete tangle and wears it flush on the back pad.

Double change? No, Kim Garth to continue.

A big appeal for LBW, but not given. Beth Mooney is unsure and so is Sophie, so they do not go upstairs. Perhaps doing too much to slide down leg. This is full and an in-drifter from Molineux, around the leg stump line. Zafar tries to flick, but plays all over the wrong line and is hit on the front pad. Ball Tracking later shows that the ball is missing the leg stump by a fair bit.

No run, that is defended solidly off the front foot.

Nice and full, tossed up on off, blocked off the front foot.

WIDE! Round arm, ful but down leg. Ayesha swipes at it but misses.

Pakistan Women are in trouble here. Ayesha Zafar comes out to the middle now.

OUT! SIMPLE CATCH! The skipper strikes in her first over. The arm ball from Molineux. Pitched full and sliding on the leg stump line. Saira Jabeen gets low on her knee to play the slog sweep, but mistimes the shot badly, offering a simple catching practice to Ashleigh Gardner stationed at deep mid-wicket. Pakistan Women are 17/2 down, needing another 183 runs.

Quicker again, full on the leg stump. Saira Jabeen goes for a sweep but the ball lobs off her gloves, seemingly, and flies over the keeper before dropping behind her.

FOUR! Edgy! Sophie darts it on a length, drifting into the batter. Saira Jabeen is rushed on the cut shot but the ball goes off the outside edge and races away to deep third fence.

Another full ball, shaping in from off. Muneeba Ali deliberately opens the bat face at the point of contact and runs it behind to deep third for a couple of runs.

Full around off, pushed away through cover for a single.

Swings in from middle to leg, full in length. Muneeba tickles it to short fine leg for a single.

Halt! Beth Mooney is looking in some serious pain. The physio is in and looking at her right hand, where one of the fingers has been dislocated. The physio puts it back in place and bravely, Beth Mooney will continue keeping here.

WIDE! Wayward down leg, on a length. Muneeba Ali shuffles a bit to work it across, but misses. Mooney again fails to grab the ball to her right and parries it to short fine leg. But she seems to be in some pain and needs medical treatment.

Cuts back in from a length, on middle and leg. Muneeba Ali has no room to sway away from the line and the ball hits her thigh pad before rolling to square leg.

Early blow for Pakistan Women. Saira Jabeen walks out to bat at number 3.

OUT! GULL FEROZA IS RUN OUT! A needless throw of a wicket through a complete communication breakdown between the batters. Back of a length, but down the leg stump line. Muneeba misses to glance it to the leg side, but misses and the keeper, Beth Mooney also misses to collect it properly, deflecting the ball to the short fine leg region. What follows is a complete mess between the batters. Feroza is more than halfway down the pitch, Muneeba is slow to react, and suddenly both are stranded in no man's land for a run that was never on. Voll spots Feroza miles out of her crease and, struggling to get back, and fires it to the bowling end. Garth collects and whips the bails off in one clean motion. Feroza is nowhere near home. Pakistan Women are 8/1, chasing 200.

FOUR! PUNISHED! Garth offers truckloads of width outside off on a good length. Muneeba hangs back and slashes it over the point fielder for a boundary.

With the keeper up to the stumps, Garth bowls a full ball, outside off. Muneeba Ali squeezes it to short cover.

Kim Garth to share the attack. The keeper, Beth Mooney, is standing up to the stumps.

Fuller and outside off. Muneeba Ali drives it through backward point for an easy run. Just 3 from the first over. Pakistan need 197 runs from 114 balls.

Full and straight on off. Ali leans forward and blocks it out.

Around leg, on a length. Gull tries to steer it to the leg side, but gets an inside edge on the front pad and the ball rolls to the off side for a single.

Beaten! Slants it outside off, on a back of a length. Gull Feroza is squared up, and hangs her bat away from her body to play at it. The ball bounces and zips past the outside edge.

Angled across off on a length. Feroza hangs back and punches it to cover.

Bowls it full from over the stump. Around off and this is steered off the back foot to deep point for a single. Pakistan and Muneeba are off the mark in the chase.

A dot to finish. Another slower short ball by Sana which completely deceives King who is early in her pull shot. The ball beats the bat, passes over her angled willow and bounces back to the keeper, who, this time, collects the ball cleanly. King is not moving a muscle as she looks for a possible wide on height, but nothing doing. 13 runs come off the final over. Australia Women finish on 199/7.

FOUR BYES! It's not been a good day for Muneeba behind the stumps. A deceptive slower delivery into the pitch, outside off at 102.9 kph. King goes for the pull but she swings the bat in January and the ball arrives in December, and she misses it completely. The ball bounces just in front of Muneeba, who fails to get her body behind it and lets four byes through.

FOUR! It was turning out to be a good over, but a loosener from Sana doesn't go unpunished. Fatima dishes out the back-of-the-hand slower ball, but goes off the radar. Down leg on a length. King helps it behind to deep fine leg for a boundary.

Low dipping full toss, with pace taken off, outside off. Carey backs away and slaps it to mid off for a single.

Good piece of running between the sticks! Short in length, and wide outside off, Carey cuts it towards the sweeper on the off side for another brace.

Chance of a run out, but King is safe! Dropped short on middle and leg. Nicola Carey drags it off the back foot to deep mid-wicket and the call is for two. Saira Jabeen releases the throw to the bowling end, but Sana does not collect the throw in front of the stumps and allows King to get home safely.

Fatima Sana will bowl the final over.

Overpitched delivery, on off, Carey carves it away to deep point for another run. A wicket but 12 runs off the penultimate over.

Full again, on off, Carey powerfully drives it to deep extra cover and they hustle back for the second run. Good running.

FOUR! Off the edge, but the Aussies will take it. Fuller, just outside off. Nicola Carey swings hard to thrash it past covers but only manages a thick outside edge. And with no fielder in the deep third region, the ball races away to the fence without trouble.

Fuller one on off, King drives it to long off for a single.

Into the tail now. Alana King walks out to bat.

OUT! BOWLED! Cleaned her up. A bit short in length, in front of the stumps. Sophie Molineux moves a bit too much inside the line and tries to play the pull shot towards the leg side, but is early through her shot and misses to connect. The ball sneaks under the bat and crashes into the middle stump. Australia are 178/7, 10 balls remaining.

FOUR! Runs through! Flighted around leg from over the wicket. Molineux shuffles across and sweeps it off the inner half towards short fine leg, but Javed lets it slip through her hands and it rolls into the fence behind her. Four.

Sadia Iqbal to bowl the penultimate over.

Sana now follows Nicola who shuffles outside leg. She cramps the batter by firing it down leg on a fuller length. Carey tries to drive it away to the off side, but gets a thin inside edge on the bounce behind. And the keeper, Muneeba Ali is not tidy to grab the ball on the dive to her right. It is deflected to deep fine leg for a couple of runs.

FOUR! What a wonderful cricketing shot! On a fuller length, on middle. Nicola Carey backs away to create room and carves it magnificently through extra cover, finding the gap for a boundary.

From around the stump. This is full on off, Sophie creams it to the cover fielder where it is fumbled and that allows a single.

The next batter in is Sophie Molineux.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Sana strikes big at a crucial moment. Takes the pace off and lands it short and around the armpits of the batter. Ellyse Perry gets inside the line to play the pull shot, but misses and Muneeba Ali dives low to her left to scoop the ball before the ground by snapping it. A huge appeal for a caught behind, but not given. Fatima Sana has instantly reviewed it as there looked to be a bit of a deflection. UltraEdge shows a clear spike when the ball is next to the glove. Now, the TV umpire checks the legality of the catch. Oh, wait on. This one looks touch-and-go. But after checking a couple of replays, it is confirmed that Muneeba had her gloves under the ball and is deemed a clean catch. Perry falls after a high-quality knock. Australia Women are 167/6, 15 balls left.

Very slow, on a length, on middle and leg. Perry exposes her stumps and slaps it to the cover-point fielder.

FOUR! Cheeky and effective! Goes full, does Sana, on middle. Ellyse Perry shuffles far across off, gets herself into a good position before nail the scoop shot over the short fine leg fielder for four more.

Fatima Sana is back on.

Not that short, around off, Nicola hangs deep inside the crease and chop-cuts it to the point region. 4-0-34-2 for Rameen Shamim as she completes her spell.

FOUR! Glorious shot! Short and in and around middle. Carey backs away to create room and nails the late cut through backward point for a boundary.

FOUR BYES! That has beaten everyone. Full and flat, around the off pole. Carey sits down to play the reverse sweep, but misses and the ball goes through Muneeba's legs and runs behind to the fence.

In-drifter on the leg stump, on a length. Nicola cuts it late, but this time, the fielder makes a fine stop at backward point.

FOUR! Played and placed with precision! A smidge short, on off. Nicola Carey lets the ball dip and then powerfully cuts it between the narrow gap at cover-point and backward point for a boundary.

Out goes Annabel Sutherland, in comes Nicola Carey. Also, Fatima Sana is getting some attention as the physio is strapping up her right forearm.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! A huge wicket for Pakistan. Flighted on the stumps at 72.1 kph and it keeps drifting into the batter. Sutherland steps out and looks to smoke it down the ground, but gets a bit cramped up for space and hits it right off the toe end of the bat. Fatima comes rushing in from long on and completes a fine sliding catch. Wicket number 2 for Rameen. Australia Women are 151/5.

Skids through, on off, Ellyse Perry chops the length ball to the cover region. Decent spell from Sundhu. 4-0-33-2 for her.

Dropped short, on middle, dragged away to long on for a single.

Nicely tossed-up delivery around leg, Perry skips out and works it to long on for a single.

Needed a direct hit! Fuller ball, on off, Annabel Sutherland pushes it to the cover fielder and sets off for a run. The fielder dives and throws it to the bowling end, but misses her shy. Sutherland dives to get home. A tight single, but had it there been a direct hit, it would have been curtains for Annabel.

Pushed fuller, around off, Ellyse drills it down to long off for a single.

Full, on off, smashed back to the bowler. Sundhu stops it to her left.

Last 5 overs left in the first innings and things are looking pretty ominous for Pakistan. Nashra Sundhu will bowl out.

Shortish and on middle, Ellyse Perry heaves it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Another short delivery, on off, Ellyse Perry slaps it straight to extra cover.

Flatter and shorter, outside off, Ellyse Perry steers it away to point.

Dragged back, on middle, Ellyse Perry swats it wide of long on for a brace.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Flighted delivery, full and around off. Ellyse Perry comes down the track, cleverly opens the bat and squeezes it through point for a boundary.

Shorter in length and outside off, Ellyse Perry cuts it away towards point, where the fielder parries it behind. Two taken.

DRINKS BREAK. There seems to be no stopping Australia. Yes, they lost four quick wickets, but Perry is in an attacking mood and Sutherland is chipping in nicely alongside her. The partnership is building well, and with the depth Australia carry in their batting lineup, they have the freedom to keep the foot down. Pakistan need wickets, and they need them soon. Let Australia bat this deep into the innings without further breakthroughs and restricting them below 200 becomes a very tall order. Ayesha Zafar to bowl after the break. 1-0-7-0 so far are her bowling figures.

Another short delivery, on off, Ellyse Perry drags it to long on for one more.

Low full toss, on middle, Annabel Sutherland comes forward and drills it to long off for another run.

Shortish and on leg, Ellyse Perry nudges it thorugh mid-wicket for one.

Flatter, full and on middle, Annabel Sutherland forces it to long on for a run.

FOUR! You just cannot bowl there! A half-tracker, on middle, there to be put away. Annabel Sutherland shifts her weight on the back foot and smashes it to the deep mid-wicket fence for four more runs.

FOUR! Top shot! Floated, full and on off, Annabel Sutherland once again comes down the track but stays leg side of the ball. She extends her arms and carves it over extra covers for a boundary.

Pakistan have somewhat managed to pull things back. 22 runs in the last 3 overs for Australia. Nashra Sundhu (2-0-17-2) to continue.

Flighted, full and on middle, Annabel Sutherland lobs it down to long on for one more.

Loopy delivery, on off, Ellyse Perry uses her feet, makes it a full toss and chips it to long off for one.

Shorter in length and on middle, Annabel Sutherland pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Nice use of the feet! Tossed up, full and around off, Annabel Sutherland uses her feet to go inside out and lofts it over extra covers for a bounday.

Short and around off, Annabel Sutherland punches it straight to extra cover again.

Floated, full and on off, Annabel Sutherland pushes it towards extra cover.

Ayesha Zafar has been introduced into the attack now, replacing Rameen Shamim.

Fires this one, full and on middle, Annabel Sutherland drills it to long off for one.

Flatter, full and on off, Annabel Sutherland backs away and pushes it towards cover-point.

Dragged back again, just outside off, Annabel Sutherland pulls it away wide of deep mid-wicket. Diana Baig runs to her left and dives to make a fine stop. Saves a couple of runs for her side.

FOUR! Gets it away! Nashra Sundhu continues with the shorter length, on middle. Annabel Sutherland just has enough time ot rock back and heaves it wide of long on for a boundary.

Short again, on leg, Ellyse Perry flicks it off the back foot to deep square leg for a run.

Short and on middle, Annabel Sutherland moves back and slaps it to long on for a single.

Change? Nope. Nashra Sundhu (1-0-8-2) to continue.

Dragged back, on off, Ellyse Perry stays back and nudges it wide of long on and comes back for the second run. Good running!

Tossed up, full and on leg, Annabel Sutherland clips it towards mid-wicket for a run.

Good phase for Pakistan as 100/1 has suddenly become 107/4 for the Aussies. Annabel Sutherland is the new batter in at number 6.

OUT! CAUGHT! Rameen Shamim strikes now. She slows this up, lands this short and just outside off. Georgia Wareham backs away to cut it away but ends up slicing it off the outer half of the bat. It flies straight to backward point, where Gull Feroza tries to grab it with both hands, but it pops out and hits her chin. However, she manages to grab it on the second attempt. Australia Women are 107/4 now.

FIFTY FOR PERRY! Off just 30 balls! Over 170 matches in the format, and this is her maiden T20 World Cup half-century and 10th overall. This is short and on middle, Ellyse Perry swats it to deep mid-wicket for another run. She has been fluent in timing from ball one and will look to bat throughout the innings. Because she holds the key for Australia to get around or above the 200-run mark.

Loopy delivery, full and on middle, Georgia Wareham eases it to long on for a run.

Floated, full and on off, Ellyse Perry knocks it to the right of extra cover. The fielder slides but only makes a half-stop. A single taken.

FOUR! Well, that's some way to get off the mark. Pitched full and sliding on the pads. Georgia Wareham sits down on a knee, rolls her wrists to sweep it along the ground, behind square on the leg side for a boundary. A real gift to a batter who is facing her first ball of the match. At halfway, Australia are 104/3.

Double blow for the Aussies. Georgia Wareham is the next batter in.

OUT! GONE! Double whammy from Sundhu as Gardner falls on a silver duck. Dropped short, on off but it stays low. Ashleigh Gardner hangs back and has to really drag it across to play the pull shot. Mistimes it it off the toe end and hits it flatly towards deep mid-wicket where Diana Baig takes a straightforward catch in the deep with a reverse cup in front of her face. 100/1 becomes 100/3 for the Aussies.

Good length around off, pushed off the back foot to cover by Gardner.

The bowling change brings in a breakthrough for Pakistan Women. Ashleigh Gardner comes out to the middle now.

OUT! MISTIMED AND GONE! Sundhu breaks the 100-run partnership which will surely bring a bit of relief in the Pakistani camp. Bowls it full and around the off stump line with a good bit of flight above the eyeline. Georgia Voll jumps out of the crease to play a lofted shot down the ground, but ends up slicing it towards long off where Iram Javed takes a simple catch. Australia Women are 100/2.

Touch full, on off, Voll pushes it inside out to extra cover.

FOUR! Top shot. Full in length, on middle. Georgia Voll shimmies down the track, holds her shape and lofts it gun-barrel straight down the ground, perfectly bisecting long on and long off for a boundary. 100 up for Australia Women in just 9.1 overs.

Change? Yes, Nashra Sundhu has been introduced into the attack now.

Lands it full on off. Georgia Voll slogs it over mid-wicket for an easy single. Another over that goes in double figures. 13 runs off the over.

Around off, on a length. Voll rocks back and eases it to cover.

FOUR! Wham, bam, slam from both ends! Short and outside off. Voll picks the length early and is quick to push back into the crease before unleashing powerful back foot punch to deep cover for a boundary.

Not that short, on off. Perry tugs it to long on for one.

SIX! 'Catch it' is the call, but it sails over. Serves it full and on off. Ellyse Perry advances down the track and shifts the energy into the shot. Lofts it over the leaping Aliya Riaz at long on for a 70-meter six. Raunak Kapoor on air mentions that this is Perry's 50th T20I six.

Leg break, short on off. Voll camps back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Fuller and on off, Georgia Voll scythes it to deep cover for a single. 12 runs off the over.

Lands it full on off, Perry runs it along the ground to long on for a single.

Serves it full on the pads. Georgia Voll misses to flick it and the ball deflects off the front pad to square leg for a leg bye.

FOUR! Runs away quickly! Slides it onto the pads. Georgia Voll tickles the fuller ball to the right of the leg slip fielder who dives to stop but the ball escapes her and runs through to the fence.

Fuller in length, on off, Perry check-drives it to mid off for a quick single. The fielder runs forward, picks and throws in a motion, but misses her shy at the bowling end.

FOUR! That has been smacked away! Short and on off. Ellyse Perry has all the time in the world to swivel and pull it ruthlessly to deep backward square leg for a boundary. Perry moves to 39.

A smidge fuller on middle. Georgia Voll shimmies down the track and whips it between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a couple of runs. A boundary-less over as just 7 runs come off it.

Fuller and flatter on middle. Ellyse Perry chips it off the inner half of the bat to long on for a single.

Around off and bit short. Georgia Voll hangs back and cuts it to backward point where the fielder slides a bit to make the stop.

A lot fuller, around off, Ellyse Perry creams it away to long off for a single.

Full and on off, Georgia Voll sweeps it hard to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Tossed up, on a length, on off. Perry presses back and bunts to the right of the bowler. Shamim moves to her right and makes a half-stop, but parries the ball to long on for a single.

DRINKS! Since losing Beth Mooney on the first ball of the game, it has been all Australia Women in this game. Ellyse Perry is looking menacing out there, while Georgia Voll is also playing her part well. Pakistan Women bowlers have been a bit wayward, and they failed to build on that early strike. Now, they are searching for wickets and, more importantly, to break this stand to get back in the game. Also, Rameen Shamim to bowl after the break.

Curves in from a good length, on middle. Ellyse Perry walks forward and whips it to deep mid-wicket for an easy single. That's the highest Powerplay score in this World Cup by any team, informs Raunak Kapoor on air. Australia Women are 64/1 after 6 overs.

Huge nip-backer on a fuller length, darts in from middle to leg. Ellyse Perry's head falls over while trying to flick. She gets a thick inside edge onto the front pad. The ball then rolls back to the bowler.

Fuller and angling in on the pads. Ellyse forces it down to the mid on fielder.

Around off, short in length. Perry camps back and crisply punches it to the cover fielder.

WIDE! Sprays one down leg, on a good length. Perry walks inside line to help it behind to deep fine leg, but misses. Wide again.

WIDE! Way too short, over the batter's head, and outside off. Voll lets it be. Wide given for height.

Full and tailing on the pads. Georgia Voll look to whip it across, but gets a thin inside edge onto the pads, before the ball rolls behind square on the leg side for a single.

FOUR! Makes batting look so easy on the eyes. Short of a good length, on middle and leg. Georgia Voll sits down on a knee and sweep-pulls it to deep square leg, finding the gap perfectly for a boundary.

Australia are off to a real flier in Leeds. Fatima Sana (1-0-17-0) replaces Diana Baig to bowl the last Powerplay over.

Fires this one, full and angling into leg, Georgia Voll goes down for the swipe but misses as the ball pops up off his pads towards square leg. Leg bye taken.

FOUR! Gets it through! Shorter in length once more, just outside off. Georgia Voll backs away and crunches it past extra covers for four more runs.

Goes short again, around off, Georgia Voll punches it to extra cover.

Flatter, full and on middle, Ellyse Perry clips it through mid-wicket for a run.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Dragged down, on middle, Ellyse Perry rocks back quickly and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary. 50 up for Australia Women in just 4.2 overs, which also brings up the 50-run partnership between Voll and Perry.

Short and around leg, Georgia Voll moves back and nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.

On a length and on off, Ellyse Perry pushes it to cover. 19 runs off the over!

19 runs off the over already, with a ball to go. Australia have found the perfect launchpad for a huge score.

FIVE WIDES! It is getting worse for Diana Baig in this over! She loses her line and bowls this full, but down the leg side, Ellyse Perry fails to get bat on it and Muneeba Ali also fails to stop it as it rolls to the fine leg fence for four runs.

FOUR! Cheeky and effective! Diana Baig sticks to the fuller length, on middle and off. Ellyse Perry gets into position early, holds the bat like a frying pan and scoops it over the keeper's head for the third boundary of the over.

Pitched up and around off, moves away, Ellyse Perry steps across and drives it straight to extra cover.

FOUR! Much more in control this time! Back of a length and around off. Ellyse Perry stands tall, climbs onto it and swats it through mid-wicket for four more runs.

FOUR! Streaky! Full again and outside off, shaping away again. Ellyse Perry throws her hands at it and gets a thick outside edge that races to the deep third fence for a boundary.

Fuller one and on middle, shapes away. Ellyse Perry looks to work it across the line but gets a leading edge along the ground through point for a brace.

2 runs from the first over, 24 from the next two for Australia to get back to business. Here's the veteran, Diana Baig, into the attack. She replaces Fatima Sana.

Slightly quicker, full and on middle, Ellyse Perry milks it to long on for one.

Slows it up, full and on off, Ellyse Perry prods forward and blocks it out.

Flatter, full and on middle, Georgia Voll gets down on one knee and sweeps it to deep square leg for a run.

FOUR! Powered away! Flighted, full and on off, Georgia Voll skips down the track to get to the pitch of it and smacks it to the long off fence for a boundary.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Ellyse Perry uses her feet and drills it to long on for a single.

Floated, full and on middle, Ellyse Perry stays back and tucks it to mid-wicket.

Pulls her length back, on middle, Georgia Voll clips it to mid-wicket. A pretty ordinary start for Sana. 17 runs off her opening over.

FOUR! Georgia Voll gets into the act now! Overpitched delivery, on off, Georgia Voll gets right underneath the ball and thumps it past the bowler, to the long off fence for a boundary.

Hard length and on middle and leg, Ellyse Perry tucks it towards mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Put away! Short of a length and on middle, sits up nicely for the batter. Ellyse Perry gets on top of the bounce and pulls it away to the deep mid-wicket fence for another boundary.

FOUR! Nice shot! Full again and just around off, Ellyse Perry looks to drive it on the up. She plays it uppishly but between point and cover for a boundary.

FOUR WIDES! Fatima Sana errs in line and serves this full but way down the leg side, Georgia Voll misses her glance. Muneeba Ali, the keeper, fails to stop cleanly as the ball rolls behind. The fielder from short fine leg runs after it and stops it just in time before running over the fence. Three runs taken and a wide.

Fatima Sana begins with a good-length delivery, on middle, angling in, Georgia Voll fails to flick it away and gets hit on the pads. Slight shout for LBW, but turned down.

A confidence-lifting start for Pakistan. And here comes the captain, Fatima Sana from the opposite end.

Flighted, full and on off, Georgia Voll goes down and sweeps it to deep square leg for a run. Just 2 runs and a big wicket from the first over!

Arm ball, shortish and on middle, angling in. Georgia Voll backs away and pushes it towards cover-point.

Short again, on middle, Georgia Voll nudges it towards mid-wicket.

Drops it short and on off, Georgia Voll punches it towards extra cover.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Ellyse Perry drills it down to long on for a single. Australia Women are underway!

Wow, that's some start for Pakistan. A moment of brilliance at first slip by Feroza. Australia's opening pair lasts just one ball. Ellyse Perry walks in at number 3.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! That is an absolute stunner at first slip. Sadia Iqbal starts with a floater, short and on off. Beth Mooney stays back, opens the bat face and tries to guide it away but ends up getting a slight outside edge. The flies to the right of first slip, where Gull Feroza flings herself to the right, stretches her right hand to grab an outstanding catch. Golden duck for Mooney!.

Righto, Pak Sarzamin Shaad Baad and Advance Australia Fair are proudly sung/chanted in the middle. It is time to get Match 21 underway at Headingley. The two umpires are already out in the middle. Fatima Sana has her troops in a huddle near the ropes. Now, they scatter throughout the park. The Aussie peners, Georgia Voll and Beth Mooney, are waiting eagerly to head out. They, too, eventually spring out with confidence. Mooney is taking the strike. And it will be Sadia Iqbal who will bowl the first over of the game. A slip in place. Here we go...

National anthem time - Always a lovely sight to behold as the two giant flags of both nations are unfurled in the middle. The match officials make their way out, with one of them picking up the ball. Now then, both captains lead their groups out and get lined up in front of their respective flags. It will be Pakistan's first, followed by Australia's.

Coach's word - Pakistan's batting coach, Imran Farhat, admits it has been unfortunate that the batting has not clicked in the tournament, though he points out they were doing well before the World Cup. He points out that it is the middle part of their innings where they have been struggling and stresses that they are doing well in practice. On the messaging to batters while facing spin, he says T20 cricket is all about one ball at a time. He reveals the consistent message has been to play normal cricket and see it through for six to seven overs, but accepts that World Cup pressure is a different beast and not easy to absorb. He says the staff have kept backing the players and giving them confidence, and he is hopeful they can finish the tournament on a high. On the batting positions of Aliya and Fatima, Farhat points to the last four to five months as evidence of a clear team plan. He says both Aliya and Fatima are excellent finishers and highlights that Pakistan have been consistently posting 170 to 180 in that period. He says that formula was working smoothly and was always the plan heading into the World Cup.

PITCH REPORT - Charles Dagnall is pitchside. He says that it is a glorious day, but it is very, very hot. Adds that there is also a slight breeze blowing across the ground. Mentions that the square boundaries are 63 and 61 meters, while the straight hit is 68 meters. Anjum Chopra joins him and says that it is a freshly rolled surface and she expects a lot of runs. Reckons that Pakistan Women will need to avoid the dot balls while the Aussies will enjoy batting on this deck.

Pakistan Women (Playing XI) - Muneeba Ali (WK), Gull Feroza, Ayesha Zafar, Iram Javed, Saira Jabeen, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana (C), Rameen Shamim (In for Tasmia Rubab), Nashra Sundhu, Diana Baig (In for Tuba Hassan) and Sadia Iqbal.

Australia Women (Unchanged Playing XI) - Beth Mooney (WK), Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Nicola Carey, Sophie Molineux (C), Kim Garth, Alana King and Lucy Hamilton.

The captain of Pakistan Women - Fatima Sana says they would have batted first as well. On the message to the team ahead of this game, she says the focus is simply on playing good cricket, acknowledging that Australia are a tricky side and that Pakistan need to bring their best. On the team combination, she informs that they have a couple of changes in the team with Diana Baig and Rameen Shamim come in the XI. On the reasons for these changes, she explains that Diana has been brought in as a senior player who deserves the opportunity.

The captain of Australia Women - Sophie Molineux says that it looks like a pretty good deck. Adds that they want to put up a good score on the board. Mentions that it is all about the playing group being present in the moment. Informs that they are unchanged. On the conversation after the Netherlands game, Molineux admits they did reflect on it for a bit, giving credit to the Netherlands for playing really well. She underlines that the wicket that day was a nice one to bat on, but says today is a new day and the bowlers are ready to take on Pakistan at a different venue.

TOSS - The two captains - Sophie Molineux and Fatima Sana - are in all readiness for the coin flip. Mel Jones leads the proceedings. Sophie gives it a spin. Tails is the call from Sana, and it lands as Heads. Australia Women have elected to BAT first.

Still a lot to play for - Still around five minutes or so left for the toss. It's pretty warm out there in Leeds, with the temperature in the early thirties and no real rain threat to trouble the game. Australia might try and test their bench strength to test their squad depth. Pakistan, on the other hand, have a lot of soul-searching to do and it starts with their batting department.

Lankan rampage in Bristol - In one of the most one-sided wins this tournament, Sri Lanka Women have handed a very heavy defeat to the Irish side, winning by 9 wickets and 27 balls to spare, chasing 132. But it was the skipper, Chamari Athapaththu who led the carnage with a blistering century. She showed her range and class in a wonderful unbeaten knock of 106 off just 61 balls, which included 17 boundaries and a couple of sixes. Group B has now come alive. New Zealand and Sri Lanka both picked up wins today to move to four points each, closing the gap on England and West Indies, who sit level at the top on six points apiece. The two frontrunners meet each other tomorrow, and while neither side is in panic mode just yet, they cannot afford to be complacent. A loss drops the defeated team right into the mix, with the Kiwis and Lankans very much in the hunt.

Playing for pride - Pakistan's campaign have been one of frustration and missed opportunities. They began with a defeat to arch-rivals India and then pushed South Africa all the way before falling narrowly short. Their hopes were finally extinguished by Bangladesh, who defended a modest total to inflict another painful defeat. The bowlers, led by Fatima Sana and Nashra Sandhu, have produced some encouraging spells, but the batting has lacked consistency and substantial partnerships. Gull Feroza and Muneeba Ali remain key figures at the top, but Pakistan will need a much more complete performance if they are to challenge an in-form Australian side. Stay tuned for toss and other updates.

Business as usual - Australia have looked every bit the tournament favourites so far. They began with a commanding victory over South Africa before brushing aside Bangladesh and then piling up 219 against the Netherlands, equalling the Women's T20 World Cup record total. Beth Mooney has once again been the glue of the batting unit, Ashleigh Gardner has contributed heavily with both bat and ball, and Georgia Voll's aggressive starts have added another dimension to the top order. The bowling has been equally impressive, with Sophie Molineux, Kim Garth and Georgia Wareham ensuring there has been no respite for opposition batters.

Contrasting fortunes - The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 returns to Headingley in Leeds with Australia Women and Pakistan Women entering the contest from opposite ends of the spectrum. On that note, welcome to our coverage of this clash. Australia have been near flawless, winning all three of their matches to sit comfortably at the top of Group A and put one foot in the semi-finals. Pakistan, meanwhile, have seen their campaign unravel after three successive defeats and are already out of contention. While the Aussies will look to preserve their unbeaten run and tighten their grip on top spot, Pakistan's focus will be to play for pride.

... MATCH DAY ...

Beware! Danger lurking - This will be the signboard provided to the Aussie dressing room ahead of their next clash against Pakistan Women at Headingley. Excuse me? Might be the reply. Premadasa and Edgbaston will jump in to provide proofs. This is regarding the clash between Australia, who are, in all likelihood, just a game away from another semifinal attendance in World Cups, and Pakistan, who have already been shown the exit door. An encounter which has been played 33 times in white-ball cricket and 31 of those have seen the Kangaroos hop over comfortably, with 2 not having a result. Then why, the danger sign, you ask? The RPS choking - This scorecard will be shown first to Sophie Molineux and her team, including supporters of the game and both sides. 76/7 - this was Australia's score in their previous meeting, with the Pakistan spinners wreaking apart the 6-time champions in the previous World Cup, the ODI version, in Colombo, 2025. As if to stress on the phrase that such things happen once in a blue moon, alone came 'Moons', aka Beth Mooney, with a fabulous century, rescuing her team once again from tatters. And then, as they say, the rest became history, because what appeared like a small crack in a door, was burst open by the Aussies. Owning the 'Edge' in Edgbaston - This scorecard will also be shown to the Aussies, but primarily showing Pakistan's potential. Down and out at 50/8 against South Africa at Edgbaston, skipper Fatima Sana first granted respectability to her side's total, taking it to a competitive 126/9 and later, with a 3-wicket haul, nearly showed the Saffas the exit door from this tournament. And hence, what might seem like a David vs Goliath, may not actually be like one at all. The preview finally begins - So here we are, ready to witness Australia and Pakistan battle it out in Leeds, for the first World Cup contest between the two sides across genders here since the heroic 1999 edition. The 1999 Men's World Cup was the beginning of Australia's dominant era, which featured three successive World Cup titles, and interestingly, 1999 was the last time an Aussie side had lost a match in the World Cup, which was against Pakistan here, before their next World Cup loss, also to Pakistan, but after 12 long years, in Colombo. On one side, we have a unit which looks well polished but is still admitting that it needs to iron off some rust, while on the other, we have a unit which definitely seems to be improving based on its efforts, but with every step ahead, it seems to be taking two steps behind, as per the numbers. The consistency factor - You put this word for these two teams in the English dictionary and it will sound as a synonym for one side and an antonym for another. In Feb 2026, Pakistan Women made a big statement, by beating South Africa in their own den. That led to three more wins in succession, albeit against a lesser competitive side in Zimbabwe, all at home. However, since leaving their home to begin their United Kingdom campaign, the Asian unit has suffered nothing but losses, one after the other, winless for 7 games in a row now, with 2 not having a result. The ultimate result is that they continue to seek a pathway to go past the group stage in either format of the Women's World Cup, leaving them asking - of what use is the effort if it cannot transpire into meaningful results? On the other hand, Australia have shown ruthless dominance, having lost just 2 out of their last 15 T20Is - and this is stretching post their semifinal loss in the 2024 edition to South Africa. They are doing reasonably well, but as everyone who follows Aussie cricket knows - their eventual goal is to keep the trophy cabinet flowing and it has been waiting after their 2023 triumph. Injury clouds - First, Phoebe Litchfield. Then, Beth Mooney. These are two stars of Australian cricket over the past couple of years (Mooney, even further beyond) who have been under injury for a while now. While Litchfield has suffered a recurrent acute quad injury and is likely to be ruled out of this clash as well, back spasms for Mooney against Netherlands might make the Aussies ponder over giving her extended rest, especially with their final league clash scheduled against India on Sunday. But having said that, given that Mooney has struggled for consistency in this format over the last couple of months, should they gamble with her returning form? One and only - Chamari Athapaththu for Sri Lanka | Hayley Matthews for West Indies | Nigar Sultana for Bangladesh | Amelia Kerr for New Zealand. These are some of the names which suggest that if this one player performs for her side, the side is likely to put up a decent fight, if not win. You can add Fatima Sana to that list, for Pakistan. As far as match wins are concerned, out of 21 T20Is as a captain, Sana has managed to win only 7, which means a win roughly every 3-odd games. However, the confidence which Fatima has brought to this Pakistan unit is perhaps second to none from her country. Pakistan's clash against South Africa at Edgbaston was a big proof of that, with Sana almost single-handedly taking Pakistan to a thrilling win. If she manages to bring the best out of her own self, her team can provide more than just a 'challenge' to the Aussies. Pakistan vs Pakistan? Pakistan defeated 'ourselves'. This was the famous statement made by coach Wahab Riaz, after their shocking loss to Bangladesh, which ended their World Cup campaign. Riaz himself has been a part of many matches for the Men's side, seeing his unit be on top for quite a long time, only to throw it away. So he knows, how it feels to lose a match from a winning position. The players know that there is no road ahead, but a win in these last 2 matches, especially over the mighty Aussies can at least give their nation something to be proud of. Team form (Last 5 completed T20Is, most recent first) - Aus-W - WWWWW | Pak-W - LLLLL. Batting beauty? So far, we have witnessed 4 matches in this World Cup at Headingley. Two of those have seen teams flex their batting depth (ones which have, that is) while the West Indies-Scotland one seemed to be on the slower side. Only the Bangladesh-Australia contest was a no show, just because Bangladesh managed only 77/8, despite playing out their 20 overs. Only twice has a team been bowled out here in this edition so far. Australia struggled to pick up wickets despite bowling well against Netherlands, so it would be interesting to see what kind of a deck is on offer here. The one which featured the clash between West Indies and Scotland could help Pakistan, owing to their slow bowlers. But then, Australia also have plenty of their own. Additionally, this is the home ground for Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Nicola Carey and Phoebe Litchfield here in The Hundred Women, so there will be some local knowledge on offer, having represented the Northern Superchargers. Talent, depth and form point to Australia, but Pakistan will believe that there is always a first time and use that as a motivation factor to beat Australia for the first time ever. This will be Australia's first match of the competition under floodlights while Pakistan have already played one against South Africa, albeit that was in Birmingham. Still, that experience can come handy against the 6-time World champions.