Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Defending champions Australia came up with a strong performance to defeat Pakistan 3-0 in their third series of the ICC Women’s Championship in Kuala Lumpur and overtake New Zealand to the top of the points table. Australia, who won by margins of five wickets, 150 runs and 89 runs, have moved to 16 points after nine matches with New Zealand four behind on 12 points. England are currently third with 10 points while the Windies are fourth with nine. Pakistan have slipped behind India to sixth position, equal with them on eight points, but behind on net run rate.

Australia captain Meg Lanning said in a statement: “It was a pretty good series for us. We were challenged early in our first game but our batters responded to that well. Our bowlers did well throughout the series, adapted well. We are pleased to take the six points. Any time you can play international cricket, it is a learning curve. When we get to the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 we have to adapt to the conditions pretty quick. We’ve been challenged in this series and that will hold us in good stead.”

Pakistan captain Javeria Khan said: “Rating the performance of this young team against a strong side like Australia at this moment may not be the right idea. Yes, a lot of learning was there as we don’t often get a chance to face such an opposition. Challenging their standards was tough but after every match our performance has shown a gradual improvement. The batting struggled in the initial two matches but we managed to put up a good score on the board in the third one. In bowling, we could not develop enough pressure through the 50 overs. A lot is to be learnt and fixed against such teams. We played a series with them in 2014 and now in 2018. We can excel if we get a chance to play higher ranked teams every year. Talent is there, we just need opportunities. “This series has been useful in our preparation for the ICC Women’s World T20. We need to manage the pressure in crucial times and restrain well. There is a lot to learn from them. We are hoping to execute the learnings successfully in the coming T20IS as well as in the ICC Women’s World T20.”

Women’s ODI Team Rankings

Rank               Team       Points

1                      Australia         141

2                      England          123

3                       India               119

4                   New Zealand      116

5                  South Africa          98

6                 West Indies            92

7                  Pakistan                  72

8                 Sri Lanka                 58

9                 Bangladesh              49

10               Ireland                      21

Published in Daily Times, October 24^th 2018.