Left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen capped off an all-round display by snaring four wickets and then scoring a crucial 33, as she helped Australia Women prevail by five wickets in a tense run-chase against Pakistan Women in Brisbane.
Rain on Saturday had forced the second ODI to a reserve day, and the weather did not let up even on Sunday, as the game was reduced to 25 overs per side following a delayed start.
The hosts inserted Pakistan and made an early impact as medium-pacer Sarah Coyte had the opener Marina Iqbal trapped lbw in the fifth over. Javeria Khan (46) and Bismah Maroof (26) steadied the innings with a 70-run stand for the second wicket, but Jonassen struck four times in three overs as Pakistan slumped from 1 for 81 to 8 for 121.
Despite chasing a paltry total, Australia were rocked by the loss of early wickets. Asmavia Iqbal and Sana Mir shared two wickets apiece as the hosts were soon precariously placed 4 for 48, still needing another 74 from 71 deliveries.
Jonassen, however, coming in at No.6, eased the pressure with a six off Nida Dar in the 18th over. Jonassen did not strike any more boundaries, but kept the score ticking with singles and twos as she raced to 33 off just 27 balls, and also produced a vital 60-run partnership with Alex Blackwell.
Jonassen eventually fell in the 23rd over, but Blackwell remained unbeaten on 39 to guide Australia home with three balls to spare. The win gave Australia a 2-0 lead in the series, with two more games to play.
