Australia thrashed England by seven wickets to win a record-extending seventh women’s T20 World Cup title in a sold-out final at Lord’s on Sunday.
Beth Mooney (64) and Phoebe Litchfield (48) did the damage in a second-wicket partnership of exactly 100 runs as Australia reached a target of 151 with 17 balls to spare.
Victory meant Australia had now won all seven of their world finals, across both one-day international and T20 cricket, against arch-rivals England.
Tight Australia bowling backed up by typically impressive fielding restricted England to 150-4, with the hosts indebted to skipper Nat-Sciver Brunt (58 not out) and Freya Kemp (44 not out) for an unbroken stand of 80 that revived the innings from 70-4.
The new-ball duo of Kim Garth (1-20 in four overs) and Lucy Hamilton (1-19 in three) were the pick of the attack in what was Australia’s first global final at Lord’s.
England, bidding for a first major title since winning the 2017 50-over World Cup final at Lord’s and with the memory of a 16-0 rout by Australia in the last multi-format Ashes still fresh in the memory, looked at least 20 runs shy of challenging total.
Australia, after all, had chased down 171 to knock India out in a group-stage game at Lord’s last weekend.
Georgia Voll charged down the pitch to loft the first ball of the chase, from off-spinner Charlie Dean, for four at a sun-drenched Lord’s before playing on to Lauren Bell to leave Australia 17-1.
But the runs kept coming, with Mooney — who had already had a fine game behind the stumps — steering Bell through backward point for one of seven fours in her 38-ball fifty.
Litchfield swept Dean for four and lofted the spinner for six over extra-cover.
Sciver-Brunt had promised her side would go “toe-to-toe” against Australia, with both sides unbeaten at the tournament before the final.
But the gulf in class was clear, with Australia having one hand on the trophy at 68-1 come the end of the six-over powerplay.
And by the time Dean bowled Litchfield, to end a stand of 100 in 67 balls, Australia were 117-2.
Mooney was eventually lbw on review to left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone, with Australia in sight of victory at 140-3.
And England’s day was summed up when Australia’s winning runs via five wides from Ecclestone, whose legside delivery sped to the boundary.
Earlier, Australia soon had a breakthrough after captain Sophie Molineux won the toss, with Amy Jones edging Hamilton to gully for her fifth single-figure score in six innings.
It was the economical left-arm quick’s first wicket of the tournament.
But new batter Sciver-Brunt, who had taken son Theo onto the outfield with her for the pre-match anthem, stylishly cover-drove Hamilton for a first-ball four.
Veteran opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge fell for just eight when she gloved Annabel Sutherland down the legside and was well caught at the second attempt by a diving Mooney.
Alice Capsey briefly turned the tide with 23 before she was bowled by Molineux after missing a reverse sweep.
Former captain Heather Knight made 58 and shared a partnership of 133 with Sciver-Brunt in a 40-run semi-final thrashing of South Africa.
But on Sunday, England’s victorious 2017 captain, was plumb lbw for just two to Garth’s leg-cutter to leave her side 70-4.
Big-hitting left-hander Kemp struck several boundaries, including smashing Molineux for six in the last over of the innings.
But England’s total was soon made to look inadequate as they surrendered their record of having won every major global tournament they had hosted — a run dating back to the inaugural 1973 Women’s ODI World Cup.
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Australia cruised into the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 final as a disciplined bowling display and an unbeaten fifty from Beth Mooney sealed an eight-wicket victory over West Indies in the first semi-final at The Oval, London, on Tuesday.
The victory powered six-time champions Australia into the final of the 12-team mega event, in which they will face either South Africa or hosts England at The Lord’s on Sunday.
Australia captain Sophie Molineux’s decision to field first paid dividends as they curtailed West Indies for a modest total of 125/7 in 20 overs despite Deandra Dottin’s late blitz.
Captain Hayley Matthews remained the top-scorer for the West Indies with an anchoring 30 off 28 deliveries up the order. She also shared a 47-run partnership with fellow opener Qiana Joseph, who mustered a 22-ball 16.
Following their back-to-back dismissals, top-order batter Shemaine Campbelle (22) took the reins of West Indies’ batting charge in the middle phase and kept the scoreboard ticking single-handedly until falling victim to Georgia Wareham in the 16th over.
Australias players (L) shake hands with the West Indies players (R) following their victory in the ICC Womens T20 cricket world cup 2026 semi-final game between Australia and West Indies, at The Oval in London on June 30, 2026. — AFP
Australia’s players (L) shake hands with the West Indies players (R) following their victory in the ICC Women’s T20 cricket world cup 2026 semi-final game between Australia and West Indies, at The Oval in London on June 30, 2026. — AFP
Her dismissal paved the way for Dottin, who suffered an injury before the commencement of the knockout fixture, to walk out at No.8 and give a late push to West Indies’ total with a blistering 26-run cameo, which came off just 16 deliveries and featured four fours.
For Australia, Ashleigh Gardner, Wareham and skipper Molineux bagged two wickets each, while Annabel Sutherland chipped in with one scalp.
In response, Australia made light work of the 126-run target as they chased it down for the loss of just two wickets and 42 balls to spare.
Leading the way for the six-time champions was left-handed opener Mooney as she top-scored with an unbeaten 61 off just 36 deliveries, studded with eight fours.
She also shared a 63-run partnership with Gardner, who contributed with an unbeaten 35 off 20 deliveries, comprising four fours and a six.
Chinelle Henry and skipper Matthews remained the only two bowlers to take a wicket apiece for West Indies as the former champions bow out of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
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India were knocked out of the Women’s T20 World Cup after Australia’s Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner struck half-centuries to secure a six-wicket win at Lord’s on Sunday.
Australia maintained their flawless record in the group stage, winning all five matches to finish top and advance to the semi-finals, chasing down India’s target of 171 with an over to spare.
India had entered the match needing a victory to progress after South Africa boosted their own qualification chances with a four-wicket win over Bangladesh in a low-scoring game.
Australia suffered an early setback when opener Georgia Voll fell to the second ball of the chase, but Perry and Gardner steadied the innings with a 100-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Perry made 56 off 38 deliveries before being dismissed by Shree Charani, while Gardner remained unbeaten on 53 from 29 balls to guide the chase home.
“We obviously got to see how India bat and knew it was a good wicket and just needed a good partnership,” Perry, who was named the player of the match, said.
“Hopefully, two more big games to go. But focus will be on the semi-finals first.”
No maiden T20 World title for India
The result ended India’s hopes of securing their maiden Women’s T20 World Cup title and completing a double after their triumph in the One-Day International World Cup last year.
India had posted 170 for four, powered by captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s blistering 56 off 27 balls, including three sixes and six fours. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma provided a solid platform with a 66-run stand, but the middle order struggled to maintain momentum.
Jemimah Rodrigues scored 34 off 28 balls before being retired out in the closing stages, and Harmanpreet accelerated to lift India to their highest total against Australia in a Women’s T20 World Cup match, though it proved insufficient.
The defeat marked the second successive edition in which India have failed to reach the semi-finals, following their group-stage exit in 2024.
Defending champions New Zealand were eliminated on Saturday after suffering a nine-wicket defeat by England. Australia will face West Indies in the semi-finals on Tuesday.
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Ayesha Zafar produced a fine all-round display, scoring a crucial 32 and claiming three wickets, to guide Pakistan to a 37-run victory over Netherlands in their final ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 match at County Ground in Bristol, England, on Saturday.
Set to chase a modest 127-run target, Netherlands batting unit faltered and could yield 89 before getting bowled out in 18 overs.
Captain Babette de Leede waged a lone battle for Netherlands and top-scored with a cautious 30 off 41 deliveries, while right-handed opener Heather Siegers, who made a 16-ball 24 up the order, was the only other Dutch batter to amass double figures.
Ayesha and captain Fatima Sana co-led Pakistan’s bowling charge with three wickets each, while Nashra Sandhu and Diana Baig chipped in with one scalp apiece.
Pakistan captain Fatima’s decision to bat first proved beneficial as they accumulated 126/6 in their 20 overs, courtesy of the second-wicket partnership between Ayesha and Feroza.
The Green Shirts, however, got off to a shaky start to their innings as they lost left-handed opener Muneeba (12) on the first delivery of the fourth over with just 15 runs on the board.
Following the early stutter, Ayesha joined Feroza in the middle, and the duo batted sensibly to put together 79 runs for the second wicket at a brisk pace, laying the foundation for a big total.
Silver Siegers eventually broke the stand in the 14th over as she avenged Ayesha after being hit for a six on the first delivery. The right-handed batter walked back after scoring 32 off 29 deliveries with the help of two fours and a six.
With Ayesha’s dismissal, Pakistan captain Fatima decided to promote herself and walked out to bat at No.4, but the move could not pay dividends as she could muster three before falling victim to Iris Zwilling in the 16th over.
Pakistan then suffered another setback in the next over as Eyman Fatima, making her maiden Women’s T20 World Cup appearance, was sent back by Caroline de Lange after a six-ball duck.
Heather Siegers inflicted another blow to Pakistan’s batting charge in the penultimate over by dismissing Iram Javed, who could make two off just five deliveries, while Zwilling struck again in the final over, removing Saira Jabeen (five).
Meanwhile, Feroza carried her bat all the way through and returned after top-scoring with an unbeaten 63 off 52 deliveries, laced with nine fours, which earned her the Player of the Match award.
Zwilling was the standout bowler for Netherlands as she took two wickets for 19 runs in her four overs, while Hannah Landheer, Heather, Silver and de Lange made one scalp apiece.
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Ellyse Perry delivered a stunning all-round performance as defending champions Australia continued their unbeaten run in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a commanding 113-run victory over Pakistan at Headingley on Tuesday.
Perry smashed a quickfire 71 and then claimed two wickets to help Australia post a massive 199/7 before bowling Pakistan out for just 86 in 13.4 overs, leaving them with their fourth consecutive defeat of the tournament.
Set to chase a daunting 200-run target, Pakistan could muster 86 before getting all out in 13.4 overs despite Muneeba Ali’s spirited knock.
The left-handed opener waged a lone battle for Pakistan with a 25-ball 32 until falling victim to Ellyse Perry in the 10th over. Besides her, only Iram Javed (14) and captain Fatima Sana (17) could amass double figures.
For Australia, Annabel Sutherland, captain Sophie Molineux and Perry bagged two wickets each, while Georgia Wareham chipped in with one scalp.
Australia captain Sophie Molineux’s decision to bat first proved beneficial as they piled up 199/7 in their 20 overs, courtesy of a century-plus partnership between Perry and Georgia Voll.
The six-time champions, however, got off to a contrasting start as Sadia Iqbal dismissed left-handed opener Beth Mooney (zero) on the first delivery of the innings.
Following the early stutter, Perry joined Voll in the middle, and the duo forced an astounding recovery by putting together 100 runs for the second wicket.
Nashra Sandhu eventually broke the threatening partnership in the 10th over by getting rid of Voll, who walked back after scoring 39 off 28 deliveries with the help of seven fours.
Sandhu struck again in the same over, dismissing Ashleigh Gardner for a two-ball duck, reducing Australia to 100/3.
Rameen Shamim inflicted another blow to Australia’s batting charge in the next over as she got Georgia Wareham (five) caught at point by Gull Feroza.
With the scoreboard reading 107/4 in 10.4 overs, Annabel Sutherland joined Perry in the middle, and the duo frustrated the momentum-filled Pakistan bowling attack by raising an important 44-run partnership for the fifth wicket before both perished in successive overs.
Sutherland made an important contribution to Australia’s total with an 18-ball 27, comprising four fours, while Perry remained the top-scorer with a quickfire 71 off just 48 deliveries, studded with nine fours and a six.
For her all-round brilliance, Perry was adjudged the Player of the Match.
Australia then suffered another setback on the second delivery of the penultimate over in the form of captain Molineux (five), but middle-order batter Nicola Carey’s unbeaten 26-run cameo off 13 deliveries bolstered their total at the backend.
For Pakistan, Sandhu, Sadia and Rameen bagged two wickets each, while captain Fatima Sana could make one scalp.
The humbling defeat, which marked Pakistan’s fourth consecutive loss, kept them at fourth spot in the Group 1 standings, only ahead of bottom-placed Netherlands, whom they next face at the same venue on Saturday.
For the unversed, Pakistan were already out of the semi-finals race from Group 1 following their gruelling 23-run defeat at the hands of Bangladesh last week.
On the contrary, it was Australia’s fourth consecutive victory in the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 and consolidated their top spot with eight points and a hefty net run rate of 4.724.
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Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by 23 runs in their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 fixture on Saturday, extending the Green Shirts’ winless run in the tournament to three matches.
Set to chase a modest 124-run target, the Green Shirts could accumulate 100/8 in their 20 overs despite a formidable start due to an astounding collapse, which saw them lose seven wickets for 39 runs in 58 deliveries.
Pakistan got off to a decent start to their pursuit as openers Gull Feroza and Muneeba Ali registered a 49-run partnership until Nahida Akter dismissed the former on the third delivery of the eighth over.
Feroza remained a notable run-getter for Pakistan with an 18-ball 23, comprising four fours.
Nahida struck again in her next over, dismissing another opener, Muneeba Ali, who walked back after top-scoring with a cautious 25 off 30 deliveries with the help of one six and a four.
Her dismissal triggered a collapse as Pakistan lost six more wickets for just 26 runs in 47 deliveries and consequently slipped to 84/8 in 17.1 overs.
Although tailenders Nashra Sandhu (nine) and Tasmia Rubab (seven) contributed 16 runs to their total at the backend, their efforts were insufficient to pull off a miraculous victory.
Nahida and Sanjida co-led Bangladesh’s bowling charge with three wickets each, while Rabeya Khan and Ritu Moni chipped in with one scalp apiece.
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana’s decision to bat first backfired as they could muster 123/6 in their 20 overs despite her gutsy knock and Shorna Akter’s late blitz.
Bangladesh got off to a dismal start to their innings as Pakistan captain Fatima Sana struck twice in the second over, dismissing opener Dilara Akter (five) and top-order batter Sharmin Akter (zero), respectively.
Tasmia Rubab inflicted another blow on Bangladesh by getting rid of the other opener, Juairiya Ferdous (five) and thus brought the total down to 13/3.
Following the disastrous start, Sobhana Mostary joined captain Sultana in the middle, and the duo batted cautiously under pressure to raise an important 35-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Nashra Sandhu eventually broke the budding partnership on the second delivery of the 10th over by dismissing Mostary, who walked back after scoring a 19-ball 22 with the help of three fours.
Sultana was then involved in two brief partnerships with Ritu Moni (seven) and Shorna until eventually falling victim to Sadia Iqbal on the first delivery of the 18th over. She walked back after top-scoring for Bangladesh with a cautious 36 off 38 deliveries, comprising five fours.
Following her departure, Shorna added valuable runs to Bangladesh’s total at the backend with a blistering 39-run unbeaten cameo, which came off 22 deliveries and featured five fours.
Captain Fatima was the standout bowler for Pakistan as she picked up two wickets for just 18 runs in her four overs, while Tuba Hassan, Tasmia, Nashra and Sadia chipped in with one scalp apiece.
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South Africa Women delivered a dominant performance to defeat Pakistan by two wickets in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, chasing down a modest 127-run target with 19 balls remaining at Edgbaston on Wednesday.
Batting first, Pakistan set a 127-run target for South Africa with skipper Fatima Sana hitting an unbeaten half-century.
Leading South Africa’s nervy pursuit was top-order batter Dercksen, who top-scored with a brisk 52 off 35 deliveries, laced with seven fours and two sixes, before falling victim to Tuba Hassan in the 11th over.
Following her dismissal, all-rounder Nadine de Klerk took the reins of South Africa’s run chase with a 28-ball 37 and put them just one run away from the target before being dismissed by Pakistan captain Fatima Sana, who later bowled a wide, which capped off a narrow victory for the Proteas.
Skipper Fatima spearheaded Pakistan’s spirited bowling charge with three wickets for just 16 runs in her 2.5 overs, followed by Tuba and Sadia Iqbal with two each, while Nashra Sandhu could make one scalp.
The defeat against the Proteas marks the Girls in Green’s second loss in the 12-team tournament, following their campaign opener against arch-rivals India, where they failed to chase down 171 and were bowled out for 106.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana’s decision to bat first backfired as the Green Shirts could accumulate 126/9 in their 20 overs despite her valiant half-century at the backend.
The Green Shirts got off to a disastrous start to their innings as Kapp dismissed both their openers, Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza, zero and one, respectively, in the first over, with three runs on the board.
Kapp struck again in her next over, dismissing top-order batter Ayesha Zafar (nine), while Ayabonga Khaka cleaned up Natalia Pervaiz (four) to reduce Pakistan to 14/4 in 3.2 overs.
Middle-order batters Rameen Shamim (six) and Iram Javed (11) then shared a brief 15-run partnership for the fifth wicket before both got run out in quick succession.
Returning Shabnim Ismail then inflicted another blow to Pakistan’s batting expedition exactly at the halfway mark as she got Aliya Riaz caught at backward point by Sune Luus, while Nashra Sandhu’s run-out on the fourth delivery of the next over reduced them further to 50/8.
Following the slump, Pakistan captain Fatima joined forces with lower-order batter Tuba Hassan, and the duo batted valiantly to put together a 71-run partnership for the ninth wicket, which helped them breach the 120-run barrier.
The sensational partnership culminated with Tuba’s runout on the fourth delivery of the final over as she walked back after scoring a crucial 23 off 27 deliveries with the help of two fours.
Fatima, on the other hand, batted until the end and walked back after top-scoring with an unbeaten 55 off 38 deliveries, studded with six fours and two sixes.
Kapp was the standout bowler for South Africa as she took three wickets for just 23 runs in her four overs, while Ismail and Khaka chipped in with one scalp apiece.
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Deepti Sharma led India’s bowling attack with a five-wicket haul as they beat Pakistan by 64 runs in their Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 encounter at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Sunday.
Chasing 171, Pakistan were bowled out for 106 in 17 overs, as India’s disciplined bowling attack staged a strong comeback after a steady start from the opposition.
Pakistan began positively, with the openers putting on crucial runs. Muneeba Ali led from the front and applied early pressure on the Indian attack.
Deepti made the breakthrough by ending the 38-run opening stand, dismissing Gull Feroza for 12 off nine deliveries, which included two boundaries.
Muneeba and Ayesha Zafar then steadied the innings and took Pakistan past the 50-run mark, but Deepti struck again to remove Ayesha for 12 off eight balls, leaving Pakistan at 53/2 in 6.3 overs.
Despite Muneeba’s resistance, Pakistan continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. Shree Charani added to the pressure by dismissing Saira Jabeen for two runs.
Muneeba was eventually run out after a composed 41 off 35 deliveries, including five boundaries, leaving Pakistan struggling at 75/4 in 10.5 overs.
Captain Fatima Sana fell for a duck, dismissed by Shafali Verma, while Natalia Pervaiz contributed seven runs before becoming the sixth wicket to fall.
Charani claimed her third wicket by removing Rameen Shamim, reducing Pakistan further after she managed just four runs from six deliveries.
Deepti then returned to clean up the tail, dismissing Aliya Riaz and Tasmia Rubab before Nashra Sandhu became the final wicket, sealing a dominant Indian victory.
Deepti finished with outstanding figures of 5/10 in four overs, while Charani took three wickets. Shafali Verma also chipped in with a wicket as India wrapped up a comprehensive win.
Batting first, the Girls in Blue posted 170-6 in their allotted 20 overs, courtesy of a crucial partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur.
India made a mixed start as opener Shafali Verma opened the scoring with a six off the very first delivery, but was dismissed later in the same over by spinner Sadia Iqbal.
Jemimah Rodrigues came to the crease after Mandhana was already finding runs at the other end following an early dismissal, aiming to steady the innings and rebuild momentum towards a competitive total.
However, India suffered another setback as Rodrigues was dismissed cheaply for one off seven balls by Tasmia Rubab, leaving the team reeling at 18-2 after 3.2 overs.
Kaur quickly found her rhythm after walking in, and alongside Smriti, she built a solid partnership that helped India cruise past the 50-run mark in the ninth over.
Mandhana looked in sublime touch with the bat, easing the pressure as runs flowed freely, before bringing up her 34th T20I fifty of her career.
Kaur continued the onslaught as India’s run rate kept climbing, taking the side past the 100-run mark.
However, the 91-run stand was eventually broken when spinner Rameen Shamim dismissed Mandhana, who played an exceptional knock of 68 off 44 deliveries, laced with nine fours and two sixes.
India were reduced to four wickets early as Sadia Iqbal struck again, removing middle-order batter Bharti Fulmali for just one run via a stumping, leaving India struggling at 110-4 in 14.2 overs.
Pakistan gained the upper hand as Fatima Sana picked up her first wicket give India yet another blow as Kaur was dismissed after contributing 36 off 35 deliveries comprising of four boundaries.
Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma carried the innings forward in the final overs of the first innings, with Sharma accelerating the scoring through a flurry of boundaries, helping the team sail past the 150-run mark.
Sana bowled the final over, conceding 14 runs, which included the wicket of Ghosh, who played a fiery 17-ball 34 featuring five boundaries and a six, while Sharma remained unbeaten on 12.
For Pakistan, Sadia Iqbal and Fatima Sana claimed two wickets each, while Tasmia Rubab and Rameen Shamim chipped in with one wicket apiece.
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India won the toss and elected to bat first against Pakistan in their Women’s T20 World Cup fixture at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Sunday.
India hold a dominant record against Pakistan, having won 13 of the 16 T20 internationals between the sides, while Pakistan have claimed three victories.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali (wk), Ayesha Zafar, Saira Jabeen, Natalia Pervaiz, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana (c), Rameen Shamim, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal and Tasmia Rubab.
India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Bharti Fulmali, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani and Shreyanka Patil.
