AUS W vs PAK W: McGrath's all round exploits help Australia decimate Pakistan
The ninth T20I of the Commonwealth Games 2022 saw the mighty Aussies cruise past Pakistan, powered by Tahlia McGrath's spectacular all-round show.
With this dominating victory, Australia finished the league stage as the table toppers in Group A and will gear up for Saturday's semi-final.
Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath propel Australia to a formidable total
After opting to bat first, Australia Women had the worst possible start, losing Alyssa Healy and Meg Lanning inside six overs. Both veteran batters could manage only four runs each, before falling prey to Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal, respectively.
However, their cheap dismissals couldn't affect Mooney and McGrath as both blew away the depleted Pakistani bowling unit with their gorgeous stroke-play.
Mooney-McGrath stand stole the show
They stitched a match-winning stand of 141 runs off just 88 balls, ensuring Australia a fitting finish after the initial setbacks.
Mooney smashed a well-compiled 49-ball 70*, while McGrath smashed her way through to a blistering 51-ball 78*. Iqbal was Pakistan's best bowler, scalping one wicket for 28 runs.
Pakistan bear consequences of abysmal batting form
Chasing 161 against a fiery Australian bowling attack was always going to be a daunting task for Pakistan women.
The Bismah Maroof-led outfit succumbed to the pressure right from the beginning, losing four wickets inside ten overs. They crawled their way to 116 for eight, losing the match convincingly by 44 runs.
Fatima Sana continued fighting at one end, but she didn't get enough support from her fellow teammates. Sana was Pakistan's best batter with an unbeaten 26-ball 35, while Bismah Maroof and Omaima Sohail scored 23 each, being the other two batters in double digits.
McGrath excelled on the bowling front as well, scalping three wickets for just 13 runs in her three overs.
Australia Women vs Pakistan Women Brief Scores:
Australia Women: 160/2 (20)
Tahlia McGrath 78* (51), Beth Mooney 70* (49);
Sadia Iqbal 1/28 (4), Fatima Sana 1/41 (4)
Pakistan Women: 116/8 (20)
Fatima Sana 35* (26), Omaima Sohail 23 (23);
Tahlia McGrath 3/13 (4), Alana King 1/10 (3)
Australia Women won by 44 runs.
 "Debashis Sarangi")
