Ellyse Perry torments Pakistan with both bat and ball as Australia romp to a 113-run win

Ellyse Perry tormented Pakistan with both bat and ball at Headingley, delivering an all-round masterclass to power Australia to a crushing 113-run victory at the Women's T20 World Cup 2026. The 35-year-old top-scored with a superb 71 off 48 deliveries before returning figures of 2 for 9, leading the six-time champions to a fourth win from as many matches.

The result strengthened Australia's grip on the top of Group A and edged them to within touching distance of a semifinal place, ahead of a blockbuster final group clash with India at Lord's.

Perry holds the innings together

Pakistan struck early, with Sadia Iqbal removing Beth Mooney off the very first ball of the match thanks to a sharp catch at slip by Gull Feroza. But Perry refused to let the setback stick, racing out of the blocks with a flurry of boundaries and putting Australia firmly back on top.

She shared a century stand for the second wicket with Georgia Voll, who made a brisk 39, as the pair piled on the runs. Perry brought up her first-ever fifty at a T20 World Cup, an innings laced with nine fours and a six, as Australia reached 64 for one in the powerplay — their best in that phase all tournament.

A wobble, then a strong finish

Pakistan's bowlers, the standout part of their game, did fight back. Nashra Sandhu struck twice in quick succession, removing Voll and then Ashleigh Gardner for a duck, before Georgia Wareham also fell cheaply, leaving Australia briefly stalling after their flying start.

Perry and Annabel Sutherland steadied things with a 44-run stand, and although both fell in the closing overs, Nicola Carey's unbeaten 26 off just 13 balls lifted Australia to a commanding 199 for seven. Sandhu, Rameen Shamim and Sadia Iqbal all claimed two wickets apiece in a spirited bowling effort.

Mooney's brave act behind the stumps

One of the stories of the night was Beth Mooney, who shrugged off a twice-dislocated finger to continue keeping wicket. Despite the injury, she was involved in five dismissals, combining superbly with the bowlers as Pakistan's innings unravelled.

It was a display of grit that summed up Australia's ruthlessness in the field, where they made few mistakes and pounced on every opportunity.

Pakistan's chase falls apart

Chasing 200, Pakistan never got going. They slumped to three wickets down inside the powerplay, undone in part by a series of calamitous run-outs that summed up a chaotic innings. Australia's fielding pressure proved relentless throughout.

Perry then twisted the knife with the ball. Introduced into the attack with Pakistan four down, she struck with her very first delivery to remove Muneeba Ali — the top-scorer with 32 — and claimed Aliya Riaz with her last to finish with remarkable figures of 2 for 9. Sophie Molineux and Sutherland chipped in with two wickets each as Pakistan were bowled out for just 86 in 13.4 overs.

A record-breaking margin

The 113-run win was the second biggest in the history of the Women's T20 World Cup, behind only England's 114-run victory over Pakistan two editions ago. It lifted Australia to eight points from four games with a towering net run-rate, underlining their status as the team to beat.

For Pakistan, already out of semifinal contention, it was another chastening evening. Captain Fatima Sana admitted her side had simply played poor cricket, and they will look for a consolation win against the Netherlands in their final group match.

The final word

This was the Ellyse Perry show from start to finish — a reminder of the enduring class of one of the game's greatest all-rounders. With a semifinal spot all but secured, Australia now turn their attention to a high-profile showdown with India at Lord's, looking every bit like champions in waiting.