Veteran all-rounder shines with bat and ball, while Beth Mooney battles through injury to help Australia maintain perfect record

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Australia continued their dominant run in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a commanding 113-run victory over Pakistan at Headingley. The win was Australia’s fourth in as many matches and further strengthened their position as one of the tournament favourites.

Pakistan made a dream start when Gull Feroza produced a stunning one-handed catch at slip to dismiss Beth Mooney off the very first ball of the match. However, any hopes of building on that breakthrough were quickly dashed as Ellyse Perry and Georgia Voll took control of the innings with a brilliant second-wicket partnership. The pair added over 100 runs, putting Pakistan’s bowlers under immense pressure on a batting-friendly surface.

Perry was at her elegant best, scoring 71 runs from 48 deliveries. Using clever footwork and precise placement, she found gaps regularly and punished loose deliveries. Her innings included a magnificent six over long-on and marked her maiden half-century in Women’s T20 World Cup history despite playing in all ten editions of the tournament. Voll played a crucial supporting role as Australia raced to 64 for 1 in the powerplay, their highest score in that phase during the competition.

Pakistan enjoyed a brief resurgence midway through the innings when Nashra Sandhu claimed two wickets in three balls. Voll departed after holing out to long-off, while Ash Gardner followed for a second-ball duck. Rameen Shamim also chipped in with important wickets, including those of Georgia Wareham and Annabel Sutherland. Pakistan’s fielding remained sharp, and a successful review eventually brought an end to Perry’s outstanding knock as Fatima Sana claimed the prized wicket.

Despite the late wickets, Australia finished with an imposing total of 199 for 7. The target proved far too challenging for Pakistan, whose innings was disrupted by regular wickets and poor running between the wickets. Three run-outs highlighted Australia’s exceptional fielding effort and left Pakistan struggling to build any meaningful partnerships.

Beth Mooney’s contribution behind the stumps was particularly remarkable. The Australian wicketkeeper suffered a dislocated finger while attempting to stop a wide delivery and required on-field treatment before returning to continue keeping wicket. She later suffered the same injury again but showed tremendous determination to carry on. Her resilience was rewarded as she played a part in five dismissals during Pakistan’s innings.

With the ball, Australia were equally dominant. Perry struck with the very first delivery of her spell and finished with excellent figures of 2 for 9. Sophie Molineux and Annabel Sutherland also claimed two wickets each as Pakistan’s batting lineup crumbled under sustained pressure.

Pakistan were eventually bowled out for just 86, with Sadia Iqbal becoming the final wicket after edging behind to Mooney. The dismissal sealed a comprehensive 113-run victory and underlined Australia’s superiority in all departments.

The result keeps Australia unbeaten in the tournament and building momentum ahead of the knockout stages. For Pakistan, despite some encouraging moments in the field, batting struggles and costly mistakes proved decisive. Meanwhile, Ellyse Perry’s all-round masterclass and Beth Mooney’s courage ensured Australia once again demonstrated why they remain one of the strongest teams in world cricket.