Australia all but through to semis after Pakistan fold for 82
Injuries to Healy, Vlaeminck make defending champions' win bittersweet
Injuries to Healy, Vlaeminck make defending champions' win bittersweet
Scorer: Chetan Kumar | Commentator: Shashwat Kumar
8:45pm That brings us to the end of our coverage for this game. Australia, courtesy this win, are all but through to the semi-final. There is, however, still a mathematical possibility that they do not make it, which Shiva Jayaraman explains here: India will have to beat them by a margin of 61 runs to get ahead of them on NRR; if India beat them by exactly that margin, then NZ will have to win their two games by a combined margin of 96 runs to get ahead of Australia (all calculated assuming 151 targets in the three matches involved).
Speaking of NZ, they will have a chance to get to four points tomorrow when they take on Sri Lanka in the afternoon, which will be followed by Bangladesh locking horns with South Africa. Do join us for those games but until then, this is goodbye from Chetan and myself. Take care, everyone!
Tahlia McGrath, Australia vice-captain: (On what she knows about Healy's injury) Not a lot. Calf (injury), damage to be assessed. It has been a big day for us and heartbroken for the two girls. We will find out in a few days. (On how Vlaeminck is doing) Hard to tell. She is a bit of a character at the moment but heartbroken for her. She has had a really tough run of injuries. We love Tay (Vlaeminck) and it was pretty hard to watch. It was just coming together as a group and focussing on the job on hand, so that (huddle after Vlaeminck's injury) was really important. We just thought these conditions were best to chase on. Little different to Sharjah. Our bowlers have been unreal all tournament. Really good performance and Midge (Alyssa Healy) was outstanding with the bat. (On playing the conditions) Big meeting, going through the stats and exciting to get over here and I thought we played really well. The thing about this team is the depth we have. Time to use it (laughs).
Muneeba Ali, Pakistan captain: (How challenging last 24 hours have been) it has been challenging but as professionals, we are aware of the magnitude of this game. We have to play good enough cricket but we were not up to the mark in the batting department. That is not how you approach T20s and it was embarrassing. Belief should have been there - that is why we are here to play and win matches. I have been a vice-captain for this team. Good opportunity for me to learn as well. We are here to play, we are here to win and everyone has to step up and have the confidence to win the last match (against NZ). Everyone in the batting group needs to step up.
Ashleigh Gardner, Player of the Match: (On the conditions) It was nice conditions. There was a bit more bounce. Just with the way I bowl, that helps me and the little bit of spin was also handy. Clinical performance from a bowling perspective, and I was lucky enough to pick up a few wickets at the end. (On Vlaeminck's injury) To see one of our really good mates go down like that - it is never nice to see. We are certainly feeling for her. She is in good spirits but super unfortunate for her, to get back here and for that to then happen to her. (On her performances) I am treading in the right direction. We have a really big challenge coming up against India. They will certainly challenge me personally, have had a few good battles with them over the years. Credit to our top order who have done a fantastic job so far. We have had so much experience, we have seen Wareham come up to No.3. Our order is fluid. We might not get too much time out in the middle at times but it is a credit to our top order (for the way they score). The class that they have - that is certainly something I wouldn't change.
8:28pm A routine run-chase, with the only worry engulfing Australia being the injury their captain suffered while running between the wickets. Prior to that, she was in a dominant mood, smashing 37 off 23. Perry and Mooney also played their parts, with Gardner spending some time out in the middle towards the end.
Not much to write about from a Pakistan bowling POV. They lacked accuracy and penetration, and were not helped by the number of runs they had to play with. Iqbal picked up the wicket of Mooney after deceiving her in the air but that was about it, and they now have a mountain to climb, as far as qualifying for the semi-final is concerned.
Australia need just eleven more, and they will want to do it as quickly as possible. Tuba to roll her arm over now
John : "who is Australia's reserve keeper?" -- Mooney can keep wicket, if required
Injuries to Healy, Vlaeminck make defending champions' win bittersweet
Fielding mishap moments into match deepens long run of injuries for Australia quick
Australia's captain suffers "acute right foot injury" after seeing Tayla Vlaeminck go down with dislocated shoulder
Pakistan will be captained by Muneeba Ali with Fatima Sana likely out
She will likely miss the next game against Australia for which Muneeba Ali will lead