BRISBANE: Australia has defeated Pakistan by 8 wickets in a rain affected first match, thanks to fifties from Phoebe Litchfield and Meg Lanning.
After being put into bat, Pakistan posted 160 for 8 in a rain-curtailed match. Nid Dar top-scored with a 59. Captain Bismah Maroof also scored a patient 28.
Pakistan’s Nida Dar and Kainat Imtiaz were involved in a ridiculous mix-up as both ended up at the same end.
Oh no!
A mix-up in the middle for Pakistan sees both Batters stranded at the non-strikers end!#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/JCKKldbuSI
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 16, 2023
But the question was which of the duo would walk back and after several replays, the third umpire arrived to the conclusion that Dar reached the non-striker’s first. Dar beat Kainat by a toe.
For Australia, Jess Jonassen (2/22), Darcie Brown (2/21) shared two wickets each, while Tahlia McGrath (1/15), Ashleigh Gardner (1/15), Alana King (1/21) chipped in with a wicket apiece.
Australia achieved the target for the loss of two wickets in 28.5 overs.
Outstanding performance by Australian players Phoebe Litchfield to finish 78 not out on debut at just 19 to see her team home. Meg Lanning made a classy 67 on return from her break.
Phoebe Litchfield of Australia was declared player of the match for scoring 78 runs not out.
Diana Baig bowled well but Pakistan were pretty loose otherwise. They also dropped two catches in the field and there were a number of misfields as well. Omaima Sohail picked up Lanning for the second time in ODIs but she also had a tough day in the field.
