By Hammad Aziz
Pakistan’s campaign in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 has gotten off to a rocky start, with the side losing all three of their opening matches and languishing at the bottom of the points table. Despite flashes of individual brilliance, particularly from spinner Nashra Sandhu, the team’s batting frailties have continued to cost them crucial games.
In their latest outing, Pakistan were handed a 107-run defeat by defending champions Australia. After a promising start with the ball — reducing Australia to 75 for 6 — Pakistan’s bowlers watched as Beth Mooney (109 off 114 balls) and Alana King (51 not out) rescued their side with a record 106-run ninth-wicket partnership, taking Australia to 221 for 9. The stand broke the previous world record of 77 for the ninth wicket in women’s ODIs, set in 2024.
Pakistan’s chase faltered early, collapsing to 114 all out in 36.3 overs. Opener Sidra Shamas departed for 5, and Muneeba Ali fell soon after, leaving Sidra Ameen (35 off 52) as the lone resistance in a struggling lineup. Captain Fatima Sana added 11, while Australia’s Kim Garth led the attack with 3 wickets, supported by Megan Schutt and Annabel Sutherland, who took 2 apiece.
Earlier in the tournament, Pakistan suffered a seven-wicket loss to Bangladesh in their opener after being bowled out for 129 in 38.3 overs. Only Ramin Shamin (23), Fatima Sana (22), and Muneeba Ali (17) reached double figures as Bangladesh chased the target comfortably in 31.1 overs, led by Rubya Haider’s 54.
The second match brought little relief, as Pakistan were beaten by India by 88 runs on October 5. India posted 247, driven by Harleen Deol (46), Richa Ghosh (35), and Jemimah Rodrigues (32). Pakistan’s Diana Baig impressed with 4 for 69, but the chase fell short despite Sidra Ameen’s 81 and Natalia Parvaiz’s 33, ending at 159 all out.
Amid the setbacks, there was a silver lining for Nashra Sandhu, who became Pakistan’s highest wicket-taker in Women’s World Cup history, overtaking Sana Mir’s tally of 17. Nashra’s three wickets against Australia — including that of Ellyse Perry — also saw her equal Nida Dar’s national record of 108 ODI wickets, achieved in 78 matches compared to Nida’s 112.
Elsewhere, England beat Bangladesh by four wickets in a closely contested game. Bangladesh posted 178, with Shobana Mostary top-scoring with 60, before Heather Knight’s unbeaten 79 guided England to victory at 182 for 6.
After the opening round of matches, Australia lead the standings with 5 points (two wins, one no result), followed by England (4 points), India (3), South Africa (3), Bangladesh (2), Sri Lanka (1), New Zealand (1), and Pakistan, still searching for their first points.
