ISLAMABAD: Australia women’s cricket team secured an eight-wicket win over Pakistan women in the first One Day International (ODI) at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane Monday.
This was Pakistan’s second defeat in the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 after winning five of six matches last year.
Pakistan set a 158-run target, after rain reduced the match to 40 overs, which the home team achieved after losing two wickets in the 29th over. Australian debutant Phoebe Litchfield (78 not out) and captain Meg Lanning (67) scored half centuries while chasing Pakistan’s total.
The tourist lost their opening batter Muneeba for naught in the second over of the innings with three runs on the board after being put into bat in an overcast condition. Captain Bismah Maroof joined Sidra Amin before the latter was dismissed for four runs.
Pakistan's total score at that point was 19.
The Green Shirts were 24 for two in 6.5 overs when rain interrupted the play. As the match resumed, it was reduced to 40 overs a side.
Omaima Sohail was the third Pakistan batter to return to the pavilion with scorecard reading 38 runs.
Bismah was joined by Nida Dar and both batters added 46 runs while trying to extend their fourth wicket partnership. Left-handed Maroof was caught behind for a 47-ball 28, hitting one four.
That the tourists managed to score 160 for eight was largely due to Dar’s half-century. She top-scored with 59 off 88 balls, hitting five fours and one six. Wicketkeeper-batter Sidra Nawaz coming to bat at number nine returned undefeated on 14 off 17 balls, smashing two fours.
For Australia, Darcie Brown and Jessica Jonassen bagged two wickets each.
Both sides will feature in the second ODI at the same venue on Wednesday.
