Mooney's 109 helps Australia crush Pakistan by 107 runs

Colombo, Oct 8 (PTI) Beth Mooney's classy century and a fiery new-ball burst from Kim Garth powered defending champions Australia to a commanding 107-run win over Pakistan in the Women’s World Cup here on Wednesday.

After being reduced to 76/7, Mooney (109 off 114 balls) rescued Australia with a record 106-run ninth-wicket stand with Alana King (51 not out), guiding them to 221/9.

Left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu (3/37) was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers.

In reply, Pakistan folded for 114 in 36.3 overs, with Kim Garth (3/14) and Megan Schutt (2/25) tearing through the top order.

Only Sidra Amin (35) offered resistance in another meek batting show.

The win lifted Australia to the top of the table with five points from three matches and a net run rate of 1.960, while Pakistan slipped to their third straight defeat.

Australia will next face India in Visakhapatnam on Sunday, and Pakistan take on England on October 15.

Brief Scores: Australia: 221 for 9 in 20 overs (Beth Mooney 109, Alana King 51 not out; Nashra Sandhu 3/37).

Pakistan: 114 all out in 36.3 overs (Sidra Amin 35; Kim Garth 3/14, Annabel Sutherland 2/15, Megan Schutt 2/25). PTI TAP PDS PDS