Pakistan compiled 190 for six off their 50 overs at the Bay Oval in Tauranga, led by an unbeaten 78 from Bismah Maroof, which featured eight fours.

The knock was Maroof’s first fifty since returning from maternity leave, and helped Pakistan recover from a poor start in which they slumped to 44-4, before a 99-run partnership between Maroof and Aliya Riaz.

Pakistan's total appeared below par and so it proved, with Australia winning by seven wickets with just over 15 overs to spare.

Alyssa Healy top scored for Australia with 72 off 79 balls, a knock which featured seven fours.

Ellyse Perry and Beth Mooney, with scores of 26 and 23 respectively, saw Australia over the line, and move the nation on to four points at the top of the early standings.

Pakistan’s defeat means they are one of three sides yet to get off the mark along with Bangladesh and holders England.

England are the next side in action, when they take on the West Indies, in tomorrow’s match, due to be played at the University Oval in Dunedin.

The top four sides at the end of the league stage, in which all eight teams play each other once, will reach the semi-finals of the tournament.