Australia on brink of semis after thumping Pakistan
Gardner takes three wickets in an over as Pakistan continue to struggle
- Published
Australia all but secured their place in the semi-finals of the Women's T20 World Cup with a ruthless nine-wicket win over Pakistan in Dubai.
The reigning champions are two points clear at the top of Group A with three wins from three and, given their high net run-rate, it would take an unlikely set of results to deny them a last-four spot.
The only disappointment for Australia on an otherwise comfortable night were injuries to Tayla Vlaeminck and captain Alyssa Healy.
After winning the toss, the six-time winners skittled Pakistan for just 82, the lowest total of the World Cup so far.
Ashleigh Gardner was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4-21, with Georgia Wareham and Annabel Sutherland claiming two wickets apiece.
They then needed just 11 overs to chase down their modest target, Healy top-scoring with 37 from 23 balls before retiring hurt.
Australia take on India in their final group game on Sunday.
Pakistan still have a very slim chance of reaching the semi-finals but will need a win in their final game against New Zealand on Monday.
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Australia impress but injuries will cause concern
Healy is forced to retire hurt on 37
Australia have won six of the nine editions of the Women's T20 World Cup - including the last three - and on this form it will take something pretty special to deny them another trophy.
However, there will be concern about the fitness of Vlaeminck and Healy.
Fast bowler Vlaeminck, whose career has been overshadowed by multiple injuries, dislocated her shoulder fielding on the boundary in the first over of Pakistan's innings. Healy then pulled up running between the wickets and had to be helped from the field in obvious pain.
Australia said Healy sustained an "acute right foot injury" and her "availability for the remainder of the tournament will be clearer" after scans on Saturday.
They added Vlaeminck's shoulder has been relocated and "the extent of the injury will be known following further assessment over the coming days".
Injuries aside, it was a complete performance from Australia.
Just four Pakistan batters reached double figures and there were just four boundaries in the entire innings.
Pakistan were 23-2 after the powerplay and the lowest score at a Women's T20 World Cup of 46 looked under threat when they slipped to 39-5.
Aliya Riaz's punchy 26 from 32 balls spared them that embarrassment.
Healy and Beth Mooney's run-a-ball 15 got Australia's chase off to a flying start, with Ellyse Perry's unbeaten 22 from 23 seeing them over the line.
'I'm heartbroken for those two girls' - reaction
Australia vice-captain Tahlia McGrath: "There's a lot to process at the moment. I'm heartbroken for those two girls."
On Tayla Vlaeminck's injury: "She's had a really unlucky run of injuries and done some hard rehab. We'll know in the next few days.
"The thing about this Australian side is how much depth we've got. Captaincy, wicketkeeping and batting. It's time to use it."
Pakistan captain Muneeba Ali: "It has been challenging. We are very much aware of the magnitude of the game and we want to play good enough cricket.
"We are not up to the mark in terms of batting - it is not how you approach T20 cricket and it is really embarrassing."
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