Pakistan victory keeps slim semi-final
hopes alive; Australia hit form in huge win

A QUALITY and controlled run-chase saw Pakistan ease to victory over Ireland and keep their slim hopes of a semi-final place alive.

Ireland’s Annabel Squires was the standout batter in the first innings, hitting an unbeaten 55* from 52 balls to help her team to 113/7, with only one other Irish batter reaching double figures.

Anosha Nasir (2/17), Rida Aslam (2/26), Mahnoor Aftab (21/1) and Areesha Noor Bhatti (1/10) were among the wickets in an impressive bowling display.
The tournament to-date has seen Pakistan thrive in run chases, and they did so again for the third straight time here, easing to their target with two and a half overs still remaining.

Syeda Aroob Shah top scored with a brilliant 35 from 25 balls, with the top three all in the runs too – Shawaal Zulfiqar with 18 from 20, Eyman Fatima with 25 from 17 and Warda Yousaf with 24* from 31.

The victory means Pakistan could still mathematically qualify for the final four were they to beat New Zealand by a significant enough margin to also overturn their net run rate deficit in their final group game.

A defiant knock from UAE captain, Theertha Satish, wasn’t enough to halt a confident Australia at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom.

The UAE skipper and opening batter hit an outstanding half-century in the first innings, amassing 58 from 48 balls before being brilliantly caught in the deep.

Only one other UAE batter reached double figures as Australia got the rate of scoring under control in stark fashion, with the second ten overs of the innings yielding seven wickets and just 41 runs.

Set a target of 108 to win, the Aussie openers made things comfortable with a 66-run stand that broke the back of the chase.

Kate Pelle was the dominant force in the partnership, smashing a scintillating 51 that came off just 36 balls.

With the game effectively won, Australia moved to give themselves a net run rate advantage in the group, with Ella Hayward (14* from 11) and Amy Smith (10 from 5) hitting out late on.

Australia wrapped up the win with six wickets in hand and with 29 balls remaining, and will now rely on their net run rate being superior to both South Africa and Bangladesh if those sides also win their final Super Six fixtures. (ICC Media)