England came up with a fine all-round performance to crush Pakistan by nine wickets and stay alive in the reckoning for a place in the semifinals of the ICC Women’s World Cup here on Thursday. Bowling first, England bundled out Pakistan for a paltry 105 in 41.3 overs, and then, chased down the target with as many as 184 balls to spare.

Opting to field after winning the toss, opening bowler Katherine Brunt (3/17) and left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone (3/18) led England’s brilliant display with the ball at the Hagley Oval. When their turn to bat came, opener Danni Wyatt top-scored with an unbeaten, aggressive 68-ball 76 while captain Heather Knight remained not out on 24 in 36 deliveries.

England have just edged India on NRR to ensure India definitely need to beat South Africa to advance. This win also almost knocks New Zealand out because they need to beat Bangladesh by a humongous margin.

Needing to win the game at all costs, Brunt gave England the best and Pakistan the worst possible start by removing Nahida Khan on the very first ball of the match. Brunt bowled it fully around middle and off and as the ball moved away, it took a thick edge off Nahida’s bat to first slip. Pakistan were none for one, and it soon became 11 for two when skipper Bismah Maroof was run out while going for a needless second run.

Pakistan found themselves in dire straits thanks to another horrible run out, this time the victim being Omaima Sohail off a Tammy Beaumont direct hit in the 14th over with the score reading 33 for three.