Mooney scored a gorgeous unbeaten century to propel Australia out of shambles in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 match to reach a competitive figure of 221/9 against Pakistan at the R Premadasa stadium on Wednesday. Her calm 109 out of 114 balls with eleven fours saved the innings following the top-order meltdown.
With the choice to open with the bat, Australia began, young and slow, with skipper Alyssa Healy and Phoebe Litchfield bringing 30 to the initial wicket before the two of them quickly left. The spinners who were dominating the initial exchanges include Pakistani Sadia Iqbal and Fatima Sana who hit two blows in back to back overs to take Australia to 30/2.
Nashra Sandhu thereafter broke the middle order, including Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland, and Tahlia McGrath, leaving Australia in shock at 75/6 in 21 overs. The situation was further aggravated as Rameen Shamim struck twice in the following over to leave Australia at 80/7.
By then, the reign was assumed by Mooney who first formed a small partnership with Kim Garth (11 off 47) and initiated an impressive turnaround with Alana King. The two contributed 106 runs on the ninth wicket record partnership, which took Australia above the 200-run mark.
King has been very effective in assisting. He completed unbeaten on 51 off 49 balls with three sixes and three boundaries, which was the impetus Mooney required to turn strike and rebuild. Their determination turned Australia’s fortunes around, changing the country’s fortunes to the path of supremacy.
Pakistan had its best in Nashra Sandhu, who took 3/37 after her 10 overs. Rameen Shamim and Fatima Sana each took 2 wickets. Sadia Iqbal and Diana Baig contributed one wicket.
Australia’s late surge provides them with good ground, but Pakistan’s disciplined bowling makes the chase a fine one in the humid evening conditions in Colombo.
