Match Center

That's it from us for this game then! Thanks a lot for tuning in and hope you got some entertainment from this one-sided drubbing. Saturday, 12th October, 2024, sees a double header in this Women's T20 World Cup. New Zealand take on Sri Lanka in Sharjah in an afternoon game at 1000 GMT and in the next game, in Dubai, Bangladesh meet South Africa from Group B, at 1400 GMT. The times mentioned are those when the first ball will be bowled but be rest assured, that we shall be in early with the pre-match and building stuff. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

3 matches and 3 convincing wins for Australia in this World Cup. One foot into the semifinals. They meet India in their next clash on Sunday, 13th October, with the match scheduled to start at 1330 GMT. Pakistan on the other hand, are almost out, but say, if Australia beat India and Pakistan beat New Zealand, well they might still have a chance. And if NZ lose to Sri Lanka, even better for them. They just have to chin up and give their best against New Zealand on Monday, 14th October, 2024.

Australia's vice-captain, TAHLIA MCGRATH, says that she is not entirely sure what is the issue with Healy and details that they would have to wait for the assessment for both, Healy and Vlaeminck. Feels heartbroken for the latter as Vlaeminck was pumped up for her comeback. Believes that it was important for the group to come around and focus on the match and then get around Vlaeminck. On the quick win, Tahlia says that Australia believed that chasing would be easier under lights here and praises the entire bowling unit and then the batters stepping up. Credits all the statisticians who helped the team regarding the conditions in Dubai. On her possibly leading the team against India on Sunday, McGrath feels that Australia have got a lot of depth in batting, keeping and captaincy and now is the time to use it.

Pakistan skipper, MUNEEBA ALI SIDDIQI, admits that it has been a challenging 24 hours for Pakistan but asserts that everyone understands the magnitude of this game as a professional. Laments the loss due to a batting failure. But believes that it was a good learning experience for herself. Does not want to look into the semifinal qualification scenario and just wants to focus on playing good cricket in their next game.

ASH GARDNER HAS BEEN NAMED THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH. Gardner says that the conditions were nice with a bit more bounce here as compared to the pitch in Sharjah. Feels that everyone who got the ball, did well for Australia in the game. On the injury to Tayla Vlaeminck, Ashleigh admits that it did get the team together and everyone feels sorry for her as Vlaeminck had worked really hard to get back to the national team. On her own personal form, AG believes that she is in good space for now, but expects bigger challenges against India come Sunday. Believes that she is training in the right direction. Lauds the experience in this team with so many finishers present but everyone having a clarity about their role. Is happy with the way the wins are shaping up clinically and is amazed at the class at the top of the batting order.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

A match to forget for Pakistan Women. No Diana Baig. No Fatima Sana for this match. No total to defend, practically. The bowlers just didn't look up for the task and would want to do better in their final game against New Zealand. Earlier in the game, Australia bowled well despite being a bowler short, to restrict Pakistan to 82, claiming all 10 wickets. Everyone bowled well but Ash Gardner was the pick of the bowlers with a 4-fer. Please stay tuned for the presentation...

No such negatives while batting for the Aussies. Not that Pakistan did put them under any kind of pressure. It did seem like their shoulders were already drooping before the start of the run chase and Australia pounced. The openers added 36 inside 5 overs and Pakistan were feeling the heat. Alyssa Healy was just running herself into some form, ahead of the massive match against India on Sunday and possibly the semifinal next week. But an unfortunate calf injury now dangles her World Cup continuation. Ellyse Perry then came in and just finished off the job, with a bit of help from Ash Gardner.

Just a couple of negative points for Australia - 1. In the opening over of the match, they saw Tayla Vlaeminck go down with an injury while fielding. 2. Towards the end of the run chase, they saw their skipper, Alyssa Healy, relive her calf issue once again, after hurting that region against India in late 2022. They might find a bowling replecement for Vlaeminck and even a batting replacement for Healy, but to find an equally good keeper and also a captain, could be a difficult ask. Especially, with the coming games being against better oppositions.

Job completed professionally. 14th consecutive win in T20 World Cups for Australia Women and 10th in succession in WT20Is. 83 never looked like a difficult target and the World Champions have cantered to a comfortable win, making it 3 victories in 3 games. They are almost qualified for the next leg, but we cannot officially confirm it for now, as there is still that possibility of Australia, New Zealand and India finishing with 6 points each.

That's a wrap and Australia Women continue to dominate the women's division with their 14th win on a trot in the ICC Women's World Cup. Tossed up around off, Ellyse Perry chips this towards long off and takes one to seal the deal.

Too full on off, Ellyse Perry drills this towards extra cover for no run.

Short again, into the stumps. Ash Gardner pulls this on the bounce towards deep mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! That's really poor from Tuba Hassan and Ash Gardner will hit this 10 times out of 10 for a boundary. Drag down, around middle and leg, Ash Gardner rocks back and uses the depth of her crease to pull this towards the right of deep square leg for a boundary to close the gap ever more.

Short of a length again, Ellyse Perry goes for the sweep, ends up looping it behind the keeper for a single.

FOUR! A boundary right after drinks. Short of a length around middle and off, Ellyse Perry swings and connects right from the middle of her bat. Gets the ball into the gap towards the deep on leg and the ball bounces over the ropes for four runs.

Too full, on off. Ash Gardner defends this solidly off her front foot.