Australia take on an already-eliminated Pakistan at Headingley, Leeds on Tuesday, 24 June 2026 in a 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup Group 1 fixture that carries very different stakes for either side. The defending champions head into the match unbeaten — three wins from three — and a fourth victory would all but confirm their semi-final passage.

Australia's Position and Selection Calls

Australia, led by Sophie Molineux, sit at the summit of Group 1 with a commanding net run rate, a position reinforced by South Africa's win over India that has tightened the semi-final race. A convincing margin here could prove decisive if net run rate becomes a tiebreaker in the final standings.

The team management faces two notable selection dilemmas ahead of the match. Beth Mooney's fitness is under watch after she did not take the field during the Netherlands batting innings due to a back complaint, and her availability as wicketkeeper will be closely monitored. There is also a question over whether debutant Lucy Hamilton, who impressed in her first outing, retains her place or makes way for experienced pacer Megan Schutt.

Pace spearhead Kim Garth leads Australia's wicket-takers in the tournament with five scalps at an economy of 5.10, and will be targeting Pakistan's middle order, which has struggled for consistency throughout the competition. Notably, several Australian players — including Annabel Sutherland, Nicola Carey, Phoebe Litchfield, and Georgia Voll — have played at Headingley previously during The Hundred, giving them a potential ground-familiarity advantage.

Pakistan's Campaign and Fatima Sana's Lone Stand

Pakistan have been eliminated after three successive defeats — to India, South Africa, and Bangladesh — and will play Tuesday's match with pride and development as the only objectives. Despite the campaign's failure, captain Fatima Sana has been a rare bright spot, contributing meaningfully with both bat and ball.

Fatima scored a fighting 55 against South Africa and has claimed seven wickets at an average under 10 in the tournament, including figures of 3 for 16 against Bangladesh. Her all-round form will be scrutinised by selectors even as the team reflects on a tournament that never got off the ground collectively.

Head-to-Head and Historical Context

Australia have won all four previous Women's T20 World Cup encounters against Pakistan, underlining their historical dominance in this fixture. A fifth straight win would extend that record and further cement Australia's status as the tournament's most consistent side. This is the first time these two teams have met at Headingley in a World Cup context.

Squads

Australia: Sophie Molineux (c), Ashleigh Gardner (vc), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham, Tahlia Wilson (Travelling Reserve).

Pakistan: Fatima Sana (c), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan.

With Australia firmly in the driving seat, Tuesday's match at Headingley is likely to test Pakistan's resilience — and give Fatima Sana one final stage to press her case ahead of the next cycle.