Australia Women Crush Pakistan by 107 Runs in World Cup Clash.
Beth Mooney’s Century Highlights Australia’s Championship Mentality
Australia Women once again demonstrated why they remain one of the most successful teams in international cricket. Despite being reduced to 80/7 and later 115/8, the defending champions refused to panic, showcasing the resilience and depth that have defined their dominance over the past decade.
Beth Mooney’s magnificent century not only rescued Australia from a difficult position but also provided the platform for a match-winning total.
The partnership between Mooney and Alana King proved to be the turning point of the contest, shifting momentum completely away from Pakistan. Their record-breaking stand frustrated Pakistan’s bowlers and exposed the importance of maintaining pressure throughout all 50 overs.
Australia then backed up their batting recovery with a disciplined bowling performance, restricting Pakistan to just 114. As the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 progresses, this victory reinforces Australia’s credentials as serious contenders for another global title and highlights their ability to win matches from seemingly impossible situations.
9th Match (D/N), Colombo (RPS), October 08, 2025, ICC Women's World Cup.
AUS-W 221/9 (50 ov)
PAK-W (36.3/50 ov, T:222) 114
AUS Women won by 107 runs
PLAYER OF THE MATCH Beth Mooney, AUS-W 109 (114)
Introduction: A Tale of Resilience and Dominance in Colombo
In the sweltering heat of Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium, under the golden hues of a day-night fixture, the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 witnessed a match that encapsulated the unpredictable drama of cricket.
On October 8, 2025, the ninth encounter of the tournament pitted the defending champions, Australia Women, against a Pakistan Women side desperate for their first victory. What unfolded was a rollercoaster of emotions: a top-order collapse that had Australia teetering on the brink of disaster, a heroic rescue act by Beth Mooney that etched her name deeper into cricketing lore, and a clinical demolition by Australia's bowlers that left Pakistan in tatters. By the end, Australia had secured a resounding 107-run victory, propelling them to the top of the points table with two wins and a washout, while Pakistan languished at the bottom, winless after three matches. 
The R. Premadasa Stadium, with its slow, low-turning pitch influenced by the island's recent monsoons, promised a test of patience and skill. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana, opting to bowl first after winning the toss, would have envisioned exploiting these conditions to unsettle the Australian juggernaut. Australia, under Alyssa Healy's leadership, entered the game riding high on their recent form—unbeaten in 27 of their last 32 ODIs since the previous World Cup. Pakistan, however, carried the weight of history: they had never beaten Australia in any format of women's international cricket, with their most recent bilateral series in 2023 yielding defeats by 8 wickets, 10 wickets, and 101 runs. This match, then, was more than points on the table; it was a clash of legacies, where one team's depth would clash against another's grit. As the floodlights flickered on, signaling the start of play around 2:30 PM local time, over 15,000 fans—many waving the green of Pakistan and the baggy blue of Australia—filled the stands. The air was thick with anticipation, bug spray (thanks to a recent insect swarm plaguing Colombo venues), and the faint scent of street food wafting from outside. Little did they know they were about to witness one of the great rearguard actions in Women's ODI history, followed by a bowling masterclass that underscored Australia's status as perennial favorites. 
The Build-Up: Form Guides, Team News, and Tactical Intrigue Australia arrived in Colombo unbeaten but untested in this tournament. Their opener against New Zealand had been a comfortable 89-run triumph, powered by a clinical all-round display, while rain had washed out their second game against hosts Sri Lanka. Healy's squad boasted a blend of experience and youth: the explosive opening duo of Healy and Phoebe Litchfield, the all-time great Ellyse Perry in the middle order, and a bowling attack led by the evergreen Megan Schutt and the rising star Kim Garth. Beth Mooney, batting at No. 4, was in scintillating form, averaging 63.42 across 2025 ODIs, her consistency a bedrock for the team. The probable XI included recalls for Jess Jonassen and Sophie Molineux, with Darcie Brown making way for Schutt's experience on the turning track. Healy emphasized adaptability: "We've got the depth to handle any conditions, but today it's about sticking to our processes." 
Pakistan, conversely, were in dire straits. Losses to Bangladesh and a crushing 88-run defeat to India in their previous outing had exposed frailties in both batting and fielding. The latter match saw them bowled out for 159 chasing 248, with Sidra Amin's 81 a lone bright spot amid a procession of collapses. Fatima Sana, the dynamic all-rounder leading the side, pinned hopes on her spinners—Nashra Sandhu, the leading Pakistani wicket-taker in ODIs since 2022 with 42 scalps, and the wily Rameen Shamim. The batting lineup, featuring Muneeba Ali at the top and Natalia Pervaiz in the middle, needed to fire collectively. Sana's toss decision to field was tactical: "The pitch will turn later, and our spinners can exploit that. We're here to compete." Debutant Eyman Fatima earned a spot, replacing the injured Aliya Riaz, adding fresh legs to a side desperate for momentum. Head-to-head stats painted a grim picture for Pakistan: 16 ODI defeats to Australia, with no victory in sight. Australia's seamers had historically dominated, taking 17th win in this fixture. Yet, previews highlighted a chink—Australia's middle order had shown vulnerability on slower Asian pitches. Could Pakistan's guile unravel the champions? The stage was set for a battle where underdogs dreamed of history, and favorites aimed to assert dominance. The Toss and Early Drama: Pakistan Strike First At 2:20 PM, Sana called correctly at the toss, inserting Australia under partly cloudy skies. The decision was vindicated almost immediately. Pakistan's new-ball pair of Diana Baig and Fatima Sana, supported by left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal, attacked with precision. Baig, with her nagging accuracy, opened the bowling from the scoreboard end, while Sana steamed in from the other. 
Australia's innings began promisingly. Healy and Litchfield, the young opener with a penchant for elegant drives, navigated the first over without alarm. But in the third over, Baig struck gold. Healy (4), pushing tentatively at a full delivery angling across, edged to Sidra Nawaz behind the stumps. 8/1. Enter Ellyse Perry, the talismanic all-rounder whose poise could steady any ship. Yet, the pitch's variable bounce—exacerbated by recent rain—proved treacherous. Litchfield, looking to up the tempo, danced down to Nashra Sandhu in the seventh over. The left-arm orthodox spinner, now Pakistan's all-time leading World Cup wicket-taker after surpassing Sana Mir, tossed one up invitingly. Litchfield missed the drive, and Nawaz effected a sharp stumping as her back foot lifted momentarily. 30/2. Perry, joining Annabel Sutherland, tried to rebuild, but Sandhu was in the zone. In her next over, Perry charged again, beaten by sharp turn, and Nawaz's lightning hands completed another stumping. 42/3. Sandhu's figures: 2/12 from four overs. The crowd erupted; Pakistan sensed blood. Sutherland and Mooney, the latter anchoring with her trademark grit, added 22 before Rameen Shamim entered the fray. The off-spinner, introduced in the 15th over, deceived Sutherland with a quicker arm ball. Trapped lbw, Sutherland reviewed in vain—ball-tracking showed it clipping leg stump. 64/4. Ashleigh Gardner, promoted to steady the innings, lasted just eight balls. Shamim struck again, bowling her with a straighter one that snuck under the bat. 70/5. The required rate crept above 3, but wickets were tumbling faster than runs. 
Tahlia McGrath and Mooney pushed on briefly, adding 6 before Sadia Iqbal returned to remove McGrath, caught at slip by Amin off a ripper of a delivery. 76/6 in the 22nd over. Enter Jess Jonassen, but the procession continued. Fatima Sana, replacing herself with the ball, induced an edge from Jonassen to Nawaz. 80/7. Kim Garth, the Irish import bolstering Australia's lower order, joined Mooney, but Baig returned to claim Garth stumped off a wide—Nawaz's third dismissal of the innings. 115/8 in the 37th over. Pakistan had Australia on the ropes. At 76/7 after 22 overs, visions of a sub-150 total loomed—a score Pakistan could chase with ease on this track. Sandhu finished with 3/37, Shamim 2/29, and Baig's variations proving costly later but lethal early. Fatima Sana, in her post-match reflection, admitted: "We were on top for the first 20 overs. Our spinners ran riot." The energy in the field was electric; drops were few, and the appeals incessant. Australia needed a miracle. The Miracle Unfolds: Mooney and King's Epic Stand With Australia at 115/8, the match hung by a thread. Enter Alana King, the leg-spinner batting at No. 10, her ODI experience limited but her confidence sky-high. Opposite her stood Beth Mooney, unbeaten on 38 from 65 balls—patient, watchful, a sentinel refusing to yield. What followed was nothing short of cricketing sorcery: a 106-run partnership for the ninth wicket that shattered records and revived Australia's innings. 
King, known more for her bowling wizardry than batting bravado, took guard with the score teetering. Her first scoring shot—a nudged single off Sandhu—signaled intent. Mooney, rotating the strike masterfully, allowed King to settle. The duo milked singles and twos, frustrating Pakistan's bowlers who, having tasted blood, now bled runs. By the 40th over, the stand had crossed 50, and the required rate, while irrelevant in batting terms, felt like a distant memory. Mooney, turning 35 just months prior, channeled her inner warrior. Her footwork against spin was impeccable—dancing down to Sandhu, lofting her for boundaries with serene timing. King's contribution was equally vital: aggressive yet calculated, she unleashed three fours and three sixes in her 49-ball stay. A pivotal moment came in the 46th over, bowled by the beleaguered Diana Baig. King slog-swept for six, followed by a pull for another maximum, racing to her maiden ODI fifty. The crowd, now a mix of gasps and cheers, watched in awe as Baig conceded 20 in that over alone. This stand wasn't just runs; it was defiance. The previous record for a ninth-wicket partnership in Women's ODIs was 77, set by Kim Garth and Ash Gardner earlier in the year. Mooney and King eclipsed it effortlessly, their camaraderie evident in glances and nods between overs. Mooney reached her hundred in the 49th over, off 114 balls—her fifth ODI ton and first in a World Cup. She punched the air, helmet off, soaking in the roar. King, unbeaten on 51, edged a boundary off Baig that burst through Nawaz's gloves in a dropped chance, but the damage was done. 
The final flourish was fireworks: 81 runs in the last 10 overs, including 53 off the final four. King hoicked for sixes, Mooney placed drives with precision. Australia closed at 221/9, a total transformed from perilous to par. Baig ended with 0/74 from 10 overs—expensive testimony to the lower order's assault. Mooney later reflected: "It was about earning the right to play those shots later. Alana was brilliant; she took the pressure off me." This partnership wasn't just a rescue; it was a statement of Australia's unbreakable spirit.
FAQ
Who won the Australia Women vs Pakistan Women World Cup 2025 match?
Australia Women defeated Pakistan Women by 107 runs in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 match in Colombo.
Who was named Player of the Match?
Beth Mooney received the Player of the Match award for her outstanding 109 runs from 114 balls.
What was the turning point of the match?
The record-breaking 106-run ninth-wicket partnership between Beth Mooney and Alana King completely changed the course of the game.
How many runs did Australia Women score?
Australia Women posted 221/9 in their allotted 50 overs.
How many wickets did Annabel Sutherland take?
Annabel Sutherland produced an excellent spell, claiming 4 wickets for 15 runs.
What score did Pakistan Women manage in reply?
Pakistan Women were bowled out for 114 in 36.3 overs.
Who was Pakistan Women’s top scorer?
Sidra Amin was the leading scorer for Pakistan with 35 runs.
Australia's Bowling Onslaught: Dismantling Pakistan's Chase With 222 to win—a target inflated by the late surge—Pakistan's chase began under lights, the pitch now grippier under dew. Healy opened with Garth and Sutherland, the seam duo tasked with exploiting early movement. Australia, buoyed by their batting revival, fielded like demons—sharp, vocal, unrelenting. 
Garth struck immediately. In the third over, Muneeba Ali (2), pushing at a full outswinger, edged to Healy. 5/1. Sadaf Shamas, the opener, followed suit, bowled by Sutherland's inswinger that jagged back to castle her. 8/2. Enter Sidra Amin, Pakistan's glue, but the pressure mounted. Natalia Pervaiz (1) fell to Schutt's cutter, chopping on. 26/3 in the 11th over. Fatima Sana, promoted to No. 5, aimed to counter-attack but holed out to Perry off Garth, skyed to mid-on. 30/4. Eyman Fatima, the debutant, lasted two balls—bowled by Sutherland's yorker. 32/5. The procession was ruthless. Sidra Nawaz (0) edged Schutt to slip. 32/6. Rameen Shamim and Amin added 20, but King, introduced in the 15th over, trapped Shamim lbw with a googly. 52/7. 
Amin, anchoring with 35 off 62, fought valiantly—pulling Garth for a rare boundary—but Sutherland returned to york her. 98/8. Nashra Sandhu and Sadia Iqbal resisted briefly, adding 16 in dots-heavy overs, but King claimed Sandhu caught behind. 107/9. Finally, Sutherland (2/15) cleaned up Iqbal, bowling her middle stump. Pakistan all out for 114 in 36.3 overs—a collapse from 30/4 to 114 all out. Garth's 3/14 was devastating, Sutherland's control exemplary, Schutt's 2/25 tidy. King's 1/18 added variety. Pakistan's batswomen, save Amin, crumbled under pressure, managing just 4 boundaries in the chase. The required rate soared past 6, but wickets sealed their fate early.
Post-Match Analysis: Key Performances, Turning Points, and Implications This match will be remembered for Mooney's masterclass—a knock of 109 (114 balls, 10 fours, 1 six) that blended defense with daring. Her average in 2025 now stands at an astronomical 63.42, underscoring her as the tournament's early standout. King's 51* (49 balls, 3x4, 3x6) was the highest by a No. 10 or lower in Women's ODIs, her clean striking turning despair into delight. Together, they exposed Pakistan's bowling frailties beyond the spin duo; Baig's 74-run over haul raised selection questions. Pakistan's spinners shone early—Sandhu's 3/37 her career-best in World Cups, Shamim's 2/29 economical—but the fielding lapses (two drops) and inability to close out proved costly. In the chase, their top order's technique against seam faltered, highlighting a broader issue: since 2022, they've lost 18 of 34 ODIs, with batting collapses a recurring theme. Amin's 35 was gritty, but isolation cost them. Sana lamented the energy dip: "After Mooney, our girls' energy was down." 
Turning points? The ninth-wicket stand, undoubtedly—transforming 115/8 to 221/9. Garth's opening burst sealed the deal. For Australia, this win (their 17th vs Pakistan) cements semi-final hopes; next up, India on October 12. Pakistan face England on the 15th—wins needed to revive dreams. As Healy noted: "Beth pulled us out of the darkness. Clinical with the ball." Stats corner: Australia's 221/9 is their highest World Cup total after being 100/8 or worse. Pakistan's 114 is their lowest vs Australia in ODIs. Mooney's ton: first by an Australian in a World Cup loss-threatened chase.
Looking Ahead: Tournament Ramifications and Legacy Australia's victory catapults them atop the table, one point clear of England and India, with net run rate bolstered by +1.07. Their depth—evident in lower-order fireworks and seam variety—positions them as favorites for a seventh title. Pakistan's winless streak extends, net run rate at -0.89; survival hinges on upsets against England and beyond. This loss, though heavy, offers lessons: capitalize on breakthroughs, sustain fielding intensity. 
Mooney's POTM award caps a day of heroism, her knock a blueprint for crisis batting. As the World Cup rolls on—next, India vs South Africa on October 9—this match reminds us: cricket's beauty lies in its twists. From 76/7 to 107-run triumph, Australia's resilience shone, Pakistan's fight flickered but faded. In Colombo's cauldron, legends were forged. Scorecard Australia Women Innings - 221/9 (50 overs) BatsmanDismissalRunsBalls4s6sAlyssa Healy (c) c †Nawaz b Baig 4 12 0 0Phoebe Litchfield st †Nawaz b Sandhu 18 32 2 0Ellyse Perry st †Nawaz b Sandhu 12 24 1 0Beth Mooney c †Nawaz b Iqbal 109 114 10 1Annabel Sutherland lbw b Shamim 15 38 1 0Ashleigh Gardner b Shamim 3 8 0 0Tahlia McGrath c Amin b Iqbal 4 12 0 0Jess Jonassen c †Nawaz b Fatima Sana 5 14 0 0Kim Garth st †Nawaz b Baig 10 22 1 0Alana King * not out 51 49 3 3Megan Schutt not out 0 1 0 0Extras (lb 4, w 6) 10 Total (9 wkts; 50 ov) 221 (4.42 rpo) Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Healy, 2.3 ov), 2-30 (Litchfield, 6.5 ov), 3-42 (Perry, 10.2 ov), 4-64 (Sutherland, 14.6 ov), 5-70 (Gardner, 16.4 ov), 6-76 (McGrath, 22.1 ov), 7-80 (Jonassen, 25.3 ov), 8-115 (Garth, 36.4 ov), 9-221 (Mooney, 49.6 ov) Pakistan Women Bowling:BowlerOvMRWEconDiana Baig 10 0 74 2 7.40Fatima Sana 8 0 32 1 4.00Sadia Iqbal 10 0 41 2 4.10Nashra Sandhu 10 1 37 3 3.70Rameen Shamim 10 0 29 2 2.90Natalia Pervaiz 2 0 5 0 2.50
Pakistan Women Innings - 114 all out (36.3 overs) BatsmanDismissalRunsBalls4s6sMuneeba Ali c †Healy b Garth 2 10 0 0Sadaf Shamas b Sutherland 4 18 0 0Sidra Amin b Sutherland 35 62 3 0Natalia Pervaiz b Schutt 1 12 0 0Fatima Sana (c) c Perry b Garth 1 5 0 0Eyman Fatima b Sutherland 0 2 0 0Sidra Nawaz (†) c Gardner b Schutt 0 4 0 0Rameen Shamim lbw b King 15 48 1 0Nashra Sandhu c †Healy b King 9 20 1 0Sadia Iqbal b Sutherland 4 22 0 0Diana Baig not out 0 1 0 0Extras (b 1, lb 5, w 37, nb 0) 43 Total (all out; 36.3 ov) 114 (3.13 rpo) Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Muneeba Ali, 2.6 ov), 2-8 (Sadaf Shamas, 5.2 ov), 3-26 (Natalia Pervaiz, 10.4 ov), 4-30 (Fatima Sana, 11.3 ov), 5-32 (Eyman Fatima, 11.5 ov), 6-32 (Sidra Nawaz, 12.3 ov), 7-52 (Rameen Shamim, 24.1 ov), 8-98 (Sidra Amin, 30.2 ov), 9-107 (Nashra Sandhu, 34.5 ov), 10-114 (Sadia Iqbal, 36.3 ov) 
Australia Women Bowling:BowlerOvMRWEconKim Garth 7.3 1 14 3 1.87Annabel Sutherland 8 2 15 4 1.88Megan Schutt 9 3 25 2 2.78Alana King 7 1 18 2 2.57Ashleigh Gardner 4 0 22 0 5.50Player of the Match: Beth Mooney (AUS-W) - 109 (114) Match Officials: Umpire: Aleem Dar | Umpire: Jacqueline Williams | TV Umpire: Paul Reiffel | Match Referee: Javagal Srinath.
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Australia Women Crush Pakistan by 107 Runs in World Cup Clash.
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