Injuries soured an otherwise dominant day for Australia as they cruised to a nine-wicket win over Pakistan to move to the brink of semi-final qualification.

There was an early blow for Australia in the game as they lost pace bowler Tayla Vlaeminck to a shoulder injury picked up in the field.

But the depleted Australian bowling attack nevertheless proved tough for Pakistan to handle, as they took a stranglehold on the Group A contest.

Ashleigh Gardner returned excellent figures of 4/21, while there were also wickets for Georgia Wareham 2/16, Megan Schutt 1/7, Sophie Molineux 1/19 and Annabel Sutherland 2/15.