A winless Pakistan side is about to take on a near-invincible Australian team, who also happen to be the defending champions, in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 later today in Colombo.
It’s not just another fixture for Pakistan; it’s a fight to keep their campaign alive. Having lost their first two matches to Bangladesh and India, the Women in Green desperately need a turnaround.
But the challenge couldn’t be tougher; they’re facing a team they’ve never beaten in any format of women’s international cricket.
If that streak continues on Wednesday, Pakistan’s road ahead in the World Cup will become very complicated, and their already slim hopes of qualification might fade further.
The Unwanted Record That Haunts Pakistan
Pakistan women’s team’s record against Australia is nothing short of grim. In 16 ODIs between the two sides, Pakistan haven’t even come close to victory. Their narrowest defeats were by 37 runs and four wickets, both back in 2014.
Since then, it’s been a one-sided rivalry. The last time they met, in a three-match series in 2023, Pakistan suffered losses by margins of 8 wickets, 10 wickets and 101 runs. Australia, quite simply, have been ruthless.
To make matters worse, Pakistan haven’t managed to defeat either India (12 attempts) or England (15 attempts) in women’s ODIs either. But those 16 defeats to Australia make the Aussies statistically their toughest opponent by far.
Australia’s Dominance Continues
Meanwhile, Australia enter this clash with the confidence of champions. Their opening game against New Zealand was a comfortable win, while their second match against Sri Lanka was washed out. Since the last World Cup, their record has been jaw-dropping: 27 wins from 32 matches, with just four defeats.
Pakistan, in the same period, have played 34 ODIs, winning 13 and losing 18. The gulf between the two sides is evident not just in results but in the manner of those performances.
Can Pakistan Find a Way?
Still, sport has a way of surprising everyone. Pakistan will be hoping the stars align, or at least the law of averages does. There are a few things they might quietly be counting on.
Firstly, Australia haven’t played since October 1 because of that washout against Sri Lanka. A bit of rust can creep in, even for the best sides.
Secondly, they haven’t yet played at the R Premadasa Stadium, where batting hasn’t been easy. Pakistan, having already played here in their loss to India, might have a better grasp of the conditions.
And if the pitch again offers some grip and turn, Nashra Sandhu’s role could become crucial.
Nashra Sandhu: Pakistan’s Spin Spearhead
Since the 2022 World Cup, no Pakistani bowler has taken more wickets than Nashra Sandhu. Her 42 wickets from 28 matches tell their own story. Add to that her workload, 248 overs bowled in this period, the sixth-highest for any bowler worldwide.
Pakistan rely heavily on her, and 2025 has been her most impactful year yet, with 17 wickets in 10 matches, including a stunning six-wicket haul against South Africa.
However, she’s gone wicketless in three of her last five outings. If the Pakistan women’s team are to have any shot at upsetting Australia, they’ll need Sandhu at her absolute best.
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