Defending champions Australia booked their place in the semi-finals of the Women’s T20 World Cup with a nine-wicket defeat of Pakistan in Dubai but were dealt a blow when skipper Alyssa Healy was injured.
Healy (37 off 23 balls) was injured with an apparent leg problem as six-time winners Australia raced to their target of 83 from nine overs to make it three wins in Group A after earlier successes against Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Zealand.
South Stars bowled out Pakistan for 82 in 19.5 overs, their lowest total in the tournament, as seamer Megan Shute (1-7) became the leading wicket-taker in the Women’s T20Is with her 144 and spinner Ash Gardner (4-21) was fired. three strokes off the 19th over.
Pakistan, without regular captain Fatima Sana, who has returned to Karachi following the death of her father, did not get past the boundary until the ninth over and managed just four in total, three of which came off top-scorer Alia Riaz (26) late on. disable 32 balls).
Ellyse Perry (22 not out 23) and Gardner (7 not out 5) led Australia to victory after Hill’s departure, while Beth Mooney bowled a 15th over at the top of the order before falling to Sadia Iqbal.
Only a unique set of results will see Australia now denied a place in the semi-finals, but whether Hale or fast bowler Tyla Vleimink will play any further part in the competition remains to be seen.
Australia suffered their first setback in the two-ball game when Vlemink hurt his shoulder on the boundary and went off for treatment.
Australian fast bowler Tayla Vleimink injured her shoulder in the first over while fielding.
Vlemink, whose career has been marred by injury, was playing his second T20 World Cup match and first since 2018.
The skipper’s exit did not dent Australia, but the tournament favorites began a cluster of wickets when spinner Sophie Molyneux was caught by Pakistan skipper Muneba Ali (7) at number four.
Hill’s side’s catching was a little off, three chances were missed, but it had no bearing on the result as Australia pushed on.
Australia celebrate Sophie Molyneux’s dismissal of Pakistan captain Muneba Ali with 13
What’s next?
There is a double header in the Women’s T20 World Cup on Saturday New Zealand play Sri Lanka before 11 a.m. in Group A South Africa beat Bangladesh In Group B from 15:00.
Australia to end their campaign against India Sunday after 3:00 p.m England – who have two wins in Group B after beating Bangladesh and South Africa, play Scotland at 11 o’clock.
Watch every match of the Women’s T20 World Cup live on Sky Sports, until the final on Sunday 20 October.
