Live Score, Women's T20 World Cup: Australia vs Pakistan

Time for the national anthems. Australia are the first team on paper for this game, so it will be Pakistan's anthem first, followed by Australia's. Right, 'Pak Sarzamin' and 'Advance Australia Fair' are done and we are ready for Game number 14 to begin! Some last-minute words by skipper Healy to her unit and off they go, spreading themselves onto the field. A different opening pair for Pakistan here as there is no Gull Feroza. The consistent batter, Muneeba Ali Siddiqi, also the captain for this game, strides out confidently, with a new opening partner, Sidra Amin. We are informed that this is only the second time that both teams have captains who will be keeping wickets and also opening the batting! Of course, assuming that Alyssa will open later. It will be pace to kickstart things. 

Before the game starts, let's look at how the results have come up in Dubai, especially in this World Cup. This is the 7th match at this venue and there has been a pattern brewing. In the first 4 games, the teams chasing won 3 times, but it has been 2 in 2 for the side batting first of late. Dew was expected but it has not arrived and batting under lights has been extremely difficult. Will it be the same tonight as well? Even LIsa Sthalekar, former Aussie World Cup champion, expressed her surprise with Healy looking to bowl. An experiment, maybe? Not sure, at this stage in a World Cup, even if you are on top.

Before the toss, Sophie Molineux had a chat with former West Indian great, Ian Bishop. Molineux says that she has spent a bit of time on the sidelines in the last few months but is eager to make up for that lost time now. On her couple of wickets in the previous game, Sophie says that everyone chipped in with wickets and there was a fresh bit of energy amongst the group. On playing their first game in Dubai, Molineux says that Australia will certainly have to adapt quickly to the conditions. Calls Pakistan a tough opposition but says that there has been some planning made in the dressing room and hopes that all of those get executed in this match.

PITCH REPORT - Alison Mitchell is at the pitchside and she starts with the weather being perfect for the game. She further informs that the ground dimensions are 63 metres and 57 metres on either side and the longest is 73 metres up straight. Carlos Brathwaite is alongside her to study the wicket and he says that the wicket looks to be a good one and will have a good consistent bounce throughout the game. There is going to be some turn on the surface and the fast bowlers will also get good bounce and swing with the new ball.

The stand-in skipper for Pakistan Women, Muneeba Ali Siddiqi says she is feeling good leading the pack and looking forward to winning this contest. Mentions that the news concerning Sana came as a setback for all but such things are not in one's hand and the entire squad feels sad for her. Informs that they have a couple of changes with Iram Javed replacing Fatima Sana and Sadaf Shamas replacing Gull Feroza. Closes by saying they need to put up a good total on board and make sure to bring out their A-game against a champion side. 

Alyssa Healy, says that her reason to bowl first is more of a gut feel. Her first assessment is that the wicket is fresh and under lights, the ball might come onto the bat. But they also want to see how the conditions are and says that they will look to plan accordingly to come out and chase. Further adds that the wicket might grip and turn as the game progresses and they are prepared for that too. Informs that Tayla Vlaeminck comes in for Grace Harris. On being asked about that change, Healy stresses that it is more for impact for impact. In the previous game, they got Harris in, believing that the batting needed depth while for this one, they want to add an extra bowling option in the side.

Pakistan Women (Playing XI) - Muneeba Ali Siddiqi (C) (WK), Sidra Amin, Nida Dar, Sadaf Shamas (IN FOR GULL FEROZA), Aliya Riaz, Iram Javed (IN FOR FATIMA SANA), Omaima Sohail, Tuba Hassan, Nashra Sundhu, Sadia Iqbal and Syeda Aroob Shah.

Australia Women (Playing XI) - Alyssa Healy (C) (WK), Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Ash Gardner, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Sophie Molineux, Megan Schutt and Tayla Vlaeminck (IN FOR GRACE HARRIS).

TOSS - All ready for the flip of the coin. Tails is the call from Muneeba Ali Siddiqi, the stand-in skipper for Pakistan Women but it turns out as a Head. AUSTRALIA WOMEN ELECT TO CHASE.