Australia’s quest for sixth women’s cricket one-day World Cup title started strongly with a 92-run win over Pakistan on Friday.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, the second-ranked Southern Stars made 175 from 46.1 overs before bowling Pakistan out for just 83.
All-rounder Sarah Coyte starred for Australia, hitting an unbeaten 36 with the bat before taking 3-20 from 10 overs to be the pick of the bowlers.
Opener Rachael Haynes top scored for Australia with 40, while Lisa Sthalekar chimed in with a handy 32 before being bowled by Sadia Yousuf (3-30).
Bismah Maroof (38) was the standout in sixth-ranked Pakistan’s run chase but Coyte, Sthalekar (2-19), Holly Ferling (2-10) and Ellyse Perry (2-18) bowled well to have Pakistan all out in 33.2 overs.
The Southern Stars play further group games in the Indian city of Cuttack against South Africa (ranked eighth) on February 3 and New Zealand (fourth) on February 5, with a Super Sixes phase to follow.