Pakistan 125 (Brown 3-32) vs Australia

Australia need 126 runs to wrap up the three-match ODI series after a disciplined bowling effort restricted Pakistan at the Allan Border Field.

Electing to bat in Brisbane’s sunny conditions, Pakistan eyed a strong total in a must-win game two after losing the series opener by eight wickets in a rain-affected contest reduced to 40 overs per side.

Garth opened the attack and bowled a maiden first up in an exceptional start. She continued to bowl a back of a length and found late swing during a tidy five-over spell during the first powerplay. Garth finished wicketless, but conceded just 13 runs from eight overs. She played 34 ODIs for Ireland from 2010-2018 before moving to Australia seeking full-time opportunities.

The 26 year-old Garth kick-started an improved performance from Australia’s quicks, who were notably wayward in the opening game in a push for extra swing.

Pakistan were unable to build partnerships with a number of their batters failing to capitalise on starts much like in game one. After opener Sidra Ameen was caught behind in the second over, Muneeba Ali and skipper Bismah Maroof played cautiously to thwart Brown and Garth.

Muneeba received a life on five when she was dropped at second slip by Phoebe Litchfield. She made just two runs off her first 17 deliveries before pouncing on a full toss from Brown then added another boundary a few balls later.

Moving around the crease trying to disrupt the bowlers, Muneeba’s aggressive approach backfired when she hit miss-hit spinner Ashleigh Gardner to cover point.

Pakistan’s bid for a competitive total nosedived when Maroof was trapped lbw to seamer Annabel Sutherland for 21. The burden again fell on veteran Nida Dar, who top-scored for Pakistan in game one with a half-century, and she had a reprieve on 16 when Brown dropped a return catch.

But Dar’s luck ended on 24 when she was run out at the non-striker’s end after a touch from Garth in her follow through deflected onto the stumps.

Pakistan fell away and were bowled out after 43 overs as their hopes of keeping the series alive appears forlorn.

With the T20 World Cup looming, the three-match series leads into a trio of T20Is to wrap up Pakistan’s first bilateral series in Australia since 2014.