ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 | Match 9: Australia vs Pakistan | Preview and Predictions

In Match 9 of the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, defending champions Australia take on a struggling Pakistan, who have lost both their games so far and are desperately looking to turn their campaign around.

For this game, here are our preview and predictions.

ICC Women’s CWC 2025 | Match 9: AUS vs PAK | 15:00 IST, October 8

Pakistan come into this game with their backs against the wall. Fatima Sana & Co know that their batting has let them down in two games they should have won.

Last time out, the experienced star opener Muneeba Ali had a brain-fade moment against India and was run out wandering off her crease, and barring a fighting 81 from the in-form Sidra Amin the struggle continued for the Pakistan batters with the stopping ball. The Women in Green know they can do better with the experience and talent they have in a top order that comprises Ali, Amin, and Aliya Riaz, who need to provide the team strong starts. 

Pakistan’s bowling was once again strong against India, with Diana Baig in particular continuing to impress. Spinners Baig, Sadia Iqbal, Rameen Shamim, and Nashra Sandhu have been clinical in conditions that perfectly suit them, with captain Sana also proving economical and chipping in with wickets regularly. 

Australia, on the other hand, had their second game against Sri Lanka washed off after a strong outing in the opening game. Against New Zealand, Ashleigh Gardner was the standout batter with a stellar 115, though the Aussies, as always, boast plenty of firepower, experience, and talent in their batting line-up thanks to captain Alyssa Healy, Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, and Beth Mooney, all of whom got starts last time out and will be looking to get big scores. The Aussie batters did struggle with the turning ball, though, and given Pakistan’s strong spin attack their experienced order will have to bring their A-game. 

The reigning champions were also clinical with the ball against the Kiwis, with spinners Sophie Molineux, Alana King, and Gardner all proving economical and picking up wickets. Healy also has plenty other strong bowling options at her disposal. 

Even though it’s early on in the tournament, the Colombo strip is turning out to be a nightmare for batters; expect more gripping and turning wickets. Given the strength their squad boasts on paper as well as with their current form, Australia come in as the clear favourites, though expect Pakistan to put up a much better fight than they have in their opening couple of games. 

Fantasy XI: Alyssa Healy (wk), Beth Mooney, Muneeba Ali, Sidra Amin, Ellyse Perry (c), Natalia Pervaiz, Ashleigh Gardner, Fatima Sana (vc), Annabel Sutherland, Alana King, Diana Baig

Venue: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Winners Prediction: Australia