Australian Women’s team Southernstars beat Pakistan comprehensively by five wickets in the first ODI in Kuala Lumpur. SouthernStars lead the three-match series by 1-0. Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first but didn’t post a competitive total as Aussies bowlers dismissed them for a below-par total of 95 in 37.2 overs. Australia needed only 22.2 overs to chase down the Target to take the series lead.
Batting first, nothing has gone in the favor of Pakistan as the Australian bowlers bowled with discipline and didn’t give any easy runs. Megan Schutt struck twice within ten overs to deny a perfect start. Captain Javeria Khan and Sana Mir top scored with 21 runs each in the low scoring game. Nadia Khan was the only other player who crossed the two digits mark whereas all others failed to contribute. Megan Schutt and Nicola Carey picked up three wickets each to maintain the pressure and bundle the Pakistan team out for just 95.
Chasing a low total, Australia had a good start with Alyssa Healy and Bolton adding 40 runs for the opening wicket. However, after Healy Departed the scene they lost three quick wickets for 16 runs. Haynes and Mooney added 25 runs for the fifth wicket to take them closer to the total. Anam Amin dismissed Haynes with Australia requiring 5 runs to win. Mooney then scored the winning run with a boundary to take the team home with almost 19 overs remaining in the match.
Megan Schutt is the player of the match for her brilliant spell of 7.2-4-17-3. The second match of the series will be on the 20th of October 2018 in Malaysia.
