Aussie spinners wrap Pakistan in web to take unassailable lead

Australia have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in their Twenty-20 series against Pakistan. They successfully chased down their target of 101, with six wickets and 18 balls to spare.

Having won the toss, Australia sent in Pakistan to bat first, under the lights. With Bismah Maroof returning to the side, there was a change in the batting order. Muneeba Ali was sidelined, while Javeria Khan opened the batting with Nahida Khan. N. Khan was dismissed for three by Molineux in the third over of the innings.

J. Khan then weaved a 40-run partnership with Omaima Sohail to set up Pakistan for a good total. She again got a start, but could not capitalize on it. She was caught by Molineux, off the bowling of Georgia Wareham. The next delivery, Maroof was dismissed for a golden duck. That was the last ball of the over and Wareham was on a hat-trick. An over later, when Wareham returned, her hat-trick ball was dispatched over the rope for a six, by Sohail.

After J. Khan's wicket, everything went downhill for Pakistan. They lost wickets in short spaces, with Sohail being the only stand-out performer. She scored a 38-ball-43 before being stumped by Alyssa Healy, off the bowling of Molineux. All other batters were dismissed in single-digits. With one ball still left in the innings, Pakistan was bowled out for 101. The last wicket to fall being Diana Baig's, who tried to scoop the ball but, ended up top-edging it, losing balance and falling. Molineux took the catch to give Megan Schutt her second wicket.

Molineux and Wareham were Australia's top performers with the ball. Molineux, from her four over-of which one was maiden- gave just 13 runs. She also bagged three wickets in the process. Wareham also claimed three scalps but, was slightly more expensive, leaking 12 runs from two overs. She was however, named Player-of-the-Match for taking arguably two of the most crucial wickets.

Pakistan made two early breakthrough's early in the Australian innings. Both in-form batters Alyssa Healy and Ashleigh Gardener was dismissed cheaply. However, the total was too low to put any sort of pressure on the Australian batters. Beth Mooney found some form, top-scoring with a run-a-ball-29.

Though they lost four wickets, the chase was a comfortable one for Australia, with Ellyse Perry and Elyse Villani guiding their team home.

For Pakistan, Sana Mir, Anam Amin, Nida Dar and Aliya Riaz took a wicket each.