In the first ODI match between Australia and Pakistan Women’s team, Australia emerged victorious with a comfortable eight-wicket win. The match was reduced to 40 overs due to rain, with Pakistan managing to score 160/8. Nida Dar was the standout player for Pakistan, scoring 59 runs off 88 balls.
Chasing a revised target of 158 runs, Australia’s batting duo of returning captain Meg Lanning and debutant Phoebe Litchfield led the charge. The two players formed an impressive partnership of 137 runs, after the early dismissal of Beth Mooney in the first over. Lanning scored 67 runs off 76 balls, while Litchfield remained not-out on 78 runs. The Pakistani team’s performance on the field was below par, with multiple dropped catches and misfields allowing the Australian players to score comfortably.
Earlier in the match, Australian spinners dominated Pakistan’s batting. Ashleigh Gardner, Jess Jonassen, and Alana King caused trouble for the Green Shirts’ batting line-up in the middle overs, while Darcie Brown removed the openers, Sidra Ameen and Muneeba Ali, before the rain break. Pakistan’s skipper, Bismah Maroof, hit several eloquent drives before being dismissed by Ashleigh Gardener on 28 runs. Despite Nida Dar’s impressive performance, the rest of the team failed to provide effective support.
In conclusion, the Australian team’s strong performance in both batting and bowling led to their comfortable victory in the first ODI match against Pakistan. The returning captain Meg Lanning and debutant Phoebe Litchfield’s partnership was the highlight of the match for Australia, while Nida Dar’s anchoring knock for Pakistan was noteworthy. The match also showcased the Australian spinners’ dominance, who jolted the Pakistani batting line-up throughout the match.
