ISLAMABAD: Wicketkeeper-batsman Alyssa Healy sparkled with bat as Australia thrashed Pakistan by 52 runs in their Women’s World T20 opener in Providence, South Africa on Friday. After opting to bat first, Meg Lanning-led side posted 165 runs on the board for the loss of five wickets in their allotted 20 overs. The star of the show for the team was the 28-year-old Healy, who scored quick-fire 48 off just 29 balls with the help of eight fours and one six. She was well supported by fellow opener Beth Mooney and captain Lanning, who scored 48, 41 off 39 and 34 balls respectively. For Pakistan, spin-duo of Nashra Sandhu and Aliya Riaz claimed two wickets each. In reply, the Women in Green never really got going and managed to score 113 for the loss of eight wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Set 166 to win, Pakistan had to better their most successful chase by 33 runs. They never looked like getting close, apart from a brief period near the start of their innings when their No. 3, the exciting young Umaima Sohail, made an attractive 20 off 11 balls. Her run-out dismissal in the fifth over effectively ended Pakistan’s hopes, and they settled for batting out the 20 overs against a varied and accurate attack with three seam options and three different spin options. Experience middle-order batsman Bismah Mahroof finished the day with the top score of 26 off 25 balls with the help of two fours. For Australia, pacer Megan Schutt and leg-spinner Georgia Wareham claimed two wickets each. Brief scores: Australia women 165 for 5 (Alyssa Healy 48, Beth Mooney 48, Aliya Riaz 2-25, Nashra Sandhu 2-43) beat Pakistan women 113 for 8 (Bismah Maroof 26, Sana Mir 20 not out, Megan Schutt 2-13, Georgia Wareham 2-18) by 52 runs. Published in Daily Times, November 11th 2018.