Women's world Twenty20: Edwards stars as England stroll on

England 123 Pakistan 60 (England won by 63 runs)

Charlotte Edwards proved once again to be the pivotal figure as England made it three wins out of three with a straightforward victory over Pakistan at Taunton yesterday.

The England captain top-scored with 43 from 32 balls, easily the day's highest score and then took 2 for 7 with her leg spin as Pakistan collapsed to 60 all out. England will now face Australia in the semi-finals – to be played ahead of the men's last four games – at The Oval on Thursday.

England began well with Edwards and Sarah Taylor putting on 43 for the first wicket, but once Taylor fell lbw to Urooj Mumtaz the innings stuttered. England did not help their cause with some poor running, as five wickets fell to run outs against an alert Pakistan side. Lydia Greenway made 27 and Taylor 16 as England were all out for a modest 120 from the last ball of the innings.

But in reply Pakistan were ill-equipped to cope with England's varied attack. Sussex's Holly Colvin took 3 for 18 with her slow left-arm spin and there were two wickets for Laura Marsh's medium pace. That tore the heart out of Pakistan's line-up and Edwards and Jenny Gunn, who took 2 for 3, polished off the tail.

Earlier, seamer Shelley Nitschke took 4-21 as Australia cruised to a 24-run victory over South Africa.