On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, the ICC Women's World Cup 2025, stage 9, unfolded under lights at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Phoebe Litchfield (22, New South Wales) anchored Australia Women’s chase with a slick 92, while captain Alyssa Healy steered her side to an 89‑run victory over Pakistan Women. The win lifted Australia to 16 points, cementing their status as tournament favourites, and left Pakistan winless after five games.
Australia won the toss and chose to bat first, posting 278/5 in a full 50‑over spell. Opening partner Tahlia McGrath added a steady 78, while fast bowler Megan Schutt later ripped through the Pakistani line‑up for 4/32. Pakistan’s reply stalled at 189 all out in 42.3 overs; opener Sidra Ameen managed 67 but fell to Schutt’s decisive spell.
Australia’s decision to bat first paid off thanks to a well‑priced pitch that offered a little bounce early on but flattened later, allowing batters to accelerate. Healy’s 45‑run knock, though modest, came at a crucial juncture – after a shaky start, her partnership with Litchfield steadied the ship. Schutt’s disciplined line exploited the seam movement, especially in the powerplay, forcing Pakistan into a defensive shell.
Pakistan, on the other hand, struggled to adapt to the evening dew. Their middle order collapsed between overs 25‑35, a period where Gardner and the Australian spinners turned the tide. A’meen’s dismissal at 42.3 overs underlined the lack of depth in the batting line‑up.
Speaking after the match, captain Alyssa Healy said, “Winning the toss and putting runs on the board was crucial – our bowlers executed the plans beautifully to restrict Pakistan on this pitch.” She was later named Player of the Match for her tactical acumen and reliable 45 runs.
Pakistan’s skipper Nida Dar admitted, “We fell short in the powerplay with both bat and ball – need to regroup quickly for the England match.” Former Australian captain Belinda Clark highlighted the impact of McGrath’s all‑round contribution, noting that “Pakistan’s middle‑order collapse between overs 25‑35 changed the game.”
With 16 points, Australia sits atop the Group A table, just one win away from clinching a semi‑final berth. Their net run rate, bolstered by a hefty 89‑run margin, gives them a cushion over New Zealand and England, who sit second and third respectively. Financially, the win adds US$250,000 to Australia’s prize earnings, a slice of the US$2.4 million pot.
Pakistan, stuck at zero points, faces a make‑or‑break encounter against England on October 11 at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium. A win could revive morale, but the odds have stacked heavily against them given Australia’s dominant head‑to‑head record – 18 wins out of 21 meetings since 1997.
The rivalry dates back to a 1997 showdown in Chennai, where Australia first asserted dominance. Since then, the two sides have met 21 times in official ODIs, with Australia victorious in 18. The current result continues that trend, underscoring the gap in depth and experience between the two squads.
Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium, a venue that has hosted twelve Women’s World Cup matches since its debut in 1997, provided a perfect backdrop for the spectacle. Attendance hit 18,432, and broadcast estimates put the global TV audience at 8.7 million – a clear sign that women’s cricket is cementing its place in the mainstream.
Australia’s next test comes on Sunday, October 12, when they face New Zealand Women at the P. Sara Oval, also in Colombo. Pakistan, meanwhile, will travel to Hambantota for their clash with England, a match that will likely decide whether they finish the group stage with a single point or remain winless.
The ICC’s Anti‑Corruption Unit, led by General Manager Sir Ronnie Flanagan, confirmed no integrity breaches during the game, and Tournament Director Andy Anesh praised the smooth operation despite a brief 15‑minute rain interruption in the 12th over.
The victory lifts Australia to 16 points, the highest in Group A, and improves their net run rate. They now need just one more win from their remaining two games to guarantee a semi‑final spot, putting them in a commanding position.
Litchfield’s near‑century set a solid foundation, while Schutt’s early wicket of Ameen halted Pakistan’s chase. A crucial middle‑over spell by Gardner further crumbled the Pakistani batting, creating the decisive 89‑run gap.
Sidra Ameen’s 67 runs stood out, as she tried to anchor the innings. Diana Baig contributed a useful 41, but the lack of support from the middle order meant they could not build a competitive total.
Pakistan must regroup quickly. The loss highlights issues with handling the powerplay and middle‑order stability. A win against England would be essential to avoid a winless tournament and boost morale.
Australia’s US$250,000 earnings from this win are part of a US$2.4 million pool. While the money reinforces the professionalism of the women’s game, the larger impact lies in ranking points and confidence heading into the knockout stages.
Lane Herron
What a groundbreaking display of 'dominance', folks-Australia just slapped Pakistan with an 89‑run victory, as if the margin itself were a revolutionary metric for women's cricket. The strategic tapestry, woven with batting depth and seam‑driven lethargy, reads like a case study in how to marginalize an opponent with sheer statistical superiority. Yet the real drama lies in the palpable panic of the Pakistani side, whose powerplay collapse was practically cinematic. One can almost hear the collective sigh of relieved analysts, clutching their proprietary models that forecast a seamless path to the semis for the Aussies. Truly, a masterclass in exploiting pitch nuances and, more importantly, in showcasing the inevitable hierarchy of international women's cricket.