In what began as a nightmare scenario for Australia, Beth Mooney delivered one of the most remarkable recoveries in women’s World Cup history to deny Pakistan a landmark victory.
A Collapsing Start, A Match Slipping Away
At R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, the script looked firmly in Pakistan’s favour. Spinners Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal, and Rameem Shamim wove a web of control early, and the Australian top order crumbled. Before long, the seven-wicket downpile was upon them — 76 for 7. Pakistan seemed on the verge of rewriting history: to topple the defending champions and record a signature win.
Moments earlier, Pakistan had struck in rapid succession. Alyssa Healy fell cheaply, then Phoebe Litchfield and Ellyse Perry followed almost in a blur. The momentum was entirely Pakistan’s — the fielders sharp, the bowlers ruthless, the crowd sensing a surprise in the making.
Mooney’s Mastery: Calm Amid Chaos
Into that chaos strode Beth Mooney — poised, resolute, unflustered. She had seen chases and recoveries before, but this was different. She was fighting to salvage not just a match, but Australia’s campaign.
Mooney’s approach was methodical. She first found a secure partner in Kim Garth, resisting against spin, rotating the strike, nudging boundaries when available. That 39-run stand helped Australia inch beyond the 100 mark.
But the real turning point came when Mooney forged a historic ninth-wicket stand with Alana King, who dug in and matched Mooney’s mental steel with shot-making at the death. Together, they added 109 runs — the highest ninth-wicket partnership in Women’s ODI World Cup history.
King’s contribution was no token supporting role: she remained not out (51), hitting crucial boundaries when the pressure bore down. Mooney, meanwhile, powered on, crowning her escape act with her maiden World Cup century — finishing on 109.
Australia’s final total materialized at 221 (9), a recovery that stunned all who thought they had them.
Pakistan’s Response, Australia’s Grip
Chasing 222, Pakistan began with decent intent. But Australia’s bowlers seized control. Garth, Schutt, and Sutherland combined to apply pressure, induce mistakes, and dismantle Pakistan’s batting lineup. The writing was on the wall.
