Women’s World Cup, formidable Australia meet struggling Pakistan: Match preview

**Women’s World Cup 2025: Formidable Australia Meet Struggling Pakistan – Match Preview**

*By Gaurav Tripathi | October 7, 2025, 04:59 PM*

The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 continues as Australia faces Pakistan in Match No. 9 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on October 8. Australia enters this game buoyed by an impressive win against New Zealand in their opener, although their last match against Sri Lanka was washed out. On the other hand, Pakistan has had a tough start to the tournament, losing their first two games to India and Bangladesh.

### Match Details

– **Date & Time:** October 8, 3:00 PM IST
– **Venue:** R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
– **Broadcast:** Live on Star Sports Network and JioHotstar app/website

The R. Premadasa Stadium is known for its bowling-friendly pitches, which typically result in low-scoring matches. Fast bowlers can expect some early assistance, while spinners are likely to play a crucial role as the game progresses.

### Australia: Looking to Build Momentum

Despite some key players—opener Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney, and Annabel Sutherland—not firing at their usual best, Ashleigh Gardner’s explosive century against New Zealand helped Australia secure a dominant victory. This match against Pakistan offers Australia a chance to fine-tune their strategies before taking on tougher opponents like England, India, and South Africa later in the tournament.

### Pakistan: Facing Several Challenges

Pakistan has struggled so far, with losses against both Bangladesh and India. Currently positioned at the bottom of the eight-team table, Pakistan’s batting depth remains a major concern. Their innings have been low-scoring, with team totals of 129 and 159 in their recent matches. Key players including Sidra Amin, Fatima Sana, and Muneeba Ali have yet to find consistent form in the tournament.

### Head-to-Head: Australia’s Dominance

The head-to-head record overwhelmingly favors Australia. The two teams have met 16 times in Women’s ODIs, with Australia winning every encounter. There has never been a no-result between them. Their first meeting dates back to February 7, 1997, and their latest clash occurred on January 21, 2023. Notably, five of these matches have been staged during World Cups.

### Probable Playing XIs

**Australia**
– Alyssa Healy (c & wk)
– Phoebe Litchfield
– Ellyse Perry
– Beth Mooney
– Annabel Sutherland
– Ashleigh Gardner
– Tahlia McGrath
– Sophie Molineux
– Kim Garth
– Alana King
– Darcie Brown

**Pakistan**
– Muneeba Ali
– Sadaf Shamas
– Sidra Amin
– Aliya Riaz
– Natalia Pervaiz
– Fatima Sana (c)
– Sidra Nawaz (wk)
– Rameen Shamim
– Diana Baig
– Nashra Sandhu
– Sadia Iqbal

### Key Performers to Watch

– **Sophie Molineux** claimed a valuable three-wicket haul against New Zealand and boasts 26 WODI wickets at an impressive average of 13.69.
– **Ashleigh Gardner** scored her century off just 77 deliveries versus New Zealand, the third-fastest in tournament history and the quickest by an Australian batter.
– **Nashra Sandhu** made history last month by becoming the first left-arm Asian spinner to take a six-wicket haul in Women’s ODI cricket.
– With 599 runs at an average of 74.87, **Sidra Amin** is Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in WODIs this year.

### Fan Poll

Will Beth Mooney cross the 50-run mark in this clash? Share your thoughts!

Stay tuned for more updates as Australia and Pakistan lock horns in what promises to be an exciting contest at the Women’s World Cup 2025.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/women-s-world-cup-australia-vs-pakistan-preview-and-stats/story

Women’s World Cup, formidable Australia meet struggling Pakistan: Match preview

**Women’s World Cup 2025: Formidable Australia Meet Struggling Pakistan – Match Preview**

*By Gaurav Tripathi | October 7, 2025 | 4:59 PM*

The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 continues to deliver thrilling encounters as Australia is set to take on Pakistan in Match No. 9 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on October 8.

Australia enter this fixture buoyed by an impressive victory over New Zealand in their tournament opener. However, their momentum was slightly hampered when their subsequent game against Sri Lanka was washed out. On the other hand, Pakistan has had a challenging start, suffering defeats at the hands of India and Bangladesh in their opening two matches.

### Match Details
– **Date:** October 8, 2025
– **Venue:** R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
– **Start Time:** 3:00 PM IST
– **Broadcast:** Live on Star Sports Network and JioHotstar app/website

### Pitch Report
The R. Premadasa Stadium traditionally offers a bowling-friendly surface, where recent matches have been low-scoring affairs. Fast bowlers can expect to extract some early assistance, while spinners typically become more influential as the game progresses. Teams batting second might find it challenging on this pitch.

### Australia: Building Momentum
Despite some key players like opener Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney, and Annabel Sutherland not firing at full strength, Ashleigh Gardner’s scintillating century against New Zealand helped Australia dominate comfortably. This match against Pakistan offers the Women in Yellow an opportunity to fine-tune their strategies ahead of tougher challenges from England, India, and South Africa later in the tournament.

### Pakistan: Challenges Continue
Pakistan’s campaign has been fraught with difficulties. Back-to-back losses to India and Bangladesh have left them at the bottom of the points table in the eight-team competition. Batting depth remains a major concern; their totals of 129 and 159 in the last two matches highlight their struggles. Key players such as Sidra Amin, Fatima Sana, and Muneeba Ali have yet to find consistent form.

### Head-to-Head Record
Australia completely dominates the head-to-head record against Pakistan. According to ESPNcricinfo, in 16 Women’s ODIs played between the two sides, Australia has emerged victorious every time without a single no-result. Their first encounter dates back to February 7, 1997, with the latest clash occurring on January 21, 2023. Five of these matches have taken place during previous World Cups.

### Probable Playing XIs

**Australia:**
Alyssa Healy (c & wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Kim Garth, Alana King, Darcie Brown.

**Pakistan:**
Muneeba Ali, Sadaf Shamas, Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Fatima Sana (c), Sidra Nawaz (wk), Rameen Shamim, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal.

### Key Players and Stats to Watch

– Sophie Molineux impressed with a three-wicket haul against New Zealand and boasts 26 WODI wickets at an exceptional average of 13.69.
– Ashleigh Gardner’s century against New Zealand came off just 77 balls, marking the third-fastest century in Women’s World Cup history and the quickest by an Australian.
– Nashra Sandhu made history last month by becoming the first left-arm Asian spinner to claim a six-wicket haul in a Women’s ODI.
– Sidra Amin is Pakistan’s top run-scorer this year in WODIs, amassing 599 runs at an impressive average of 74.87.

### Fan Poll
Will Beth Mooney score 50 or more runs in this match? Share your predictions in the comments below!

Stay tuned as these two teams prepare to lock horns in what promises to be an intriguing contest in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/women-s-world-cup-australia-vs-pakistan-preview-and-stats/story