Defending champions Australia held onto their slim hopes of reaching the ICC Women's World Cup final after recording a 107-run victory over Pakistan in today's must-win encounter at Bankstown Oval in Sydney.

Half-centuries from Shelley Nitschke (56 off 64 balls) and Lauren Ebsary (51 off 71), plus 47 from Leah Poulton, saw Australia post 229 for six from their 50 overs.