Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Australia March On, Athapaththu Blazes a Century, New Zealand Stay Alive

 


Australia moved to the brink of the semi-finals with a crushing 113-run victory over Pakistan at Headingley. After an early setback when Beth Mooney fell for a first-ball duck, the Australians recovered magnificently through veteran all-rounder Ellyse Perry and the in-form Georgia Voll. Perry produced one of her finest World Cup innings, hammering 71 from 48 deliveries, while Voll contributed a fluent 39 from 28 balls. The pair added a century partnership in less than 10 overs, completely shifting the momentum in Australia's favour. Late cameos from Annabel Sutherland and Nicola Carey lifted Australia to an imposing 199/7, their second-highest total of the tournament. Pakistan's best bowling efforts came from Sadia Iqbal and Nashra Sandhu, who claimed two wickets apiece. 


Pakistan's reply never gained traction against Australia's relentless bowling attack. Opener Muneeba Ali top-scored with 32 from 25 balls, but wickets fell regularly as the chase unraveled. Three run-outs further damaged Pakistan's hopes, while Australia's bowlers shared the workload effectively. Perry completed a memorable all-round performance with 2/19, while Sophie Molineux and Annabel Sutherland picked up two wickets each. Pakistan were eventually bowled out for just 86 in 13.4 overs, handing Australia their fourth consecutive victory and a huge boost to their net run rate. Perry was deservedly named Player of the Match after becoming the first Australian woman to score a World Cup fifty and take two wickets in the same match. 


In Bristol, Sri Lanka kept their semi-final hopes alive with a dominant nine-wicket victory over Ireland, inspired by a sensational century from captain Chamari Athapaththu. Ireland posted 130/5 from their 20 overs after captain Gaby Lewis anchored the innings superbly with 59 from 50 balls, striking eight boundaries. Orla Prendergast also contributed useful runs, but Sri Lanka's bowlers prevented Ireland from accelerating during the closing overs. Athapaththu chipped in with the wicket of Lewis, ensuring the target remained manageable. 


What followed was one of the innings of the tournament. Athapaththu unleashed a breathtaking assault on the Irish attack, smashing an unbeaten 106 from just 61 balls at a strike rate above 170. Her innings included a succession of boundaries and cleanly struck sixes as she dominated the chase from start to finish. Supported by Vishmi Gunaratne at the top of the order, the Sri Lankan skipper guided her side to 134/1 in only 15.3 overs, sealing victory with 27 balls remaining. It was Athapaththu's fourth T20 International century and only the second hundred of the tournament, a knock that dramatically revived Sri Lanka's World Cup campaign. 


Earlier in the day, defending champions New Zealand kept their title defence alive with a crucial six-wicket victory over Scotland in another Bristol encounter. Batting first, Scotland owed almost everything to a magnificent unbeaten innings from Darcey Carter. With wickets falling regularly around her, Carter produced the highest individual score by a Scottish batter in Women's T20 World Cup history, finishing unbeaten on 72 from 52 balls with eight fours and a six. Sarah Bryce contributed 25 from 22 deliveries, but New Zealand's bowlers maintained control for most of the innings. Amelia Kerr was outstanding with 3/17 from four overs, while returning captain Sophie Devine claimed 2/19 as Scotland posted 131/7 from their 20 overs. 


New Zealand's chase began disastrously. Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce struck twice and the White Ferns slumped to 26/3, bringing the Scots firmly into the contest. With their World Cup hopes hanging by a thread, young batter Izzy Sharp and Brooke Halliday responded magnificently. Sharp played the innings of her international career, scoring a superb 62 from 43 balls and registering her maiden T20I half-century. Halliday provided perfect support with an unbeaten 41 from 38 deliveries. Together they added a match-winning 101-run partnership, calmly rebuilding the innings and gradually taking control of the chase. Their stand broke Scotland's resistance and carried New Zealand to 132/4 in 18.2 overs, securing victory with 10 balls remaining. 


The win kept New Zealand in contention for a semi-final place while ending Scotland's hopes of reaching the knockout stage. Although Kathryn Bryce's side exited the tournament, they once again demonstrated why they have been one of the revelations of the competition. Darcey Carter's record-breaking 72* and Bryce's all-round contributions pushed the defending champions hard, but Sharp's 62 and Halliday's unbeaten 41 ultimately proved decisive in one of New Zealand's most important victories of the tournament. 


The day belonged to three outstanding individual performances: Ellyse Perry's brilliant all-round display of 71 and 2/19 for Australia, Chamari Athapaththu's breathtaking unbeaten 106 for Sri Lanka, and Izzy Sharp's career-best 62 that rescued New Zealand from a perilous position and kept the defending champions alive in the race for the semi-finals. 


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