Australia beat Pakistan with ease but suffer two injury setbacks

Injuries soured an otherwise dominant day for Australia as they cruised to a nine-wicket win over Pakistan to move to the brink of semi-final qualification.

There was an early blow for Australia in the game as they lost pace bowler Tayla Vlaeminck to a shoulder injury picked up on the field.

However, Pakistan's depleted Australian bowling attack nevertheless proved tough to handle, as they took a stranglehold on the Group A contest.

Ashleigh Gardner returned excellent figures of 4/21, while there were also wickets for Georgia Wareham 2/16, Megan Schutt 1/7, Sophie Molineux 1/19 and Annabel Sutherland 2/15.

Only four Pakistan batters reached double figures, with Aliya Riaz top-scoring with a defiant 26 (off 32 balls) from number six.

And the chase was a cakewalk for Australia, who reached 83/1 to win in just 11 overs.

Alyssa Healy top scored with 37*, although the captain retired hurt after picking up an injury when running for a quick single.