England have kept their T20 World Cup campaign alive with a convincing win against Pakistan in Canberra, causing gridlock in Group B.
Four of the five teams in the group remain in contention for the two semi-final spots as ladder positions look set to be decided on net run rate.
A loss against Pakistan would almost certainly have ended England's campaign but they have moved to two wins from three games and sit second.
South Africa are unbeaten after two games, while Pakistan and the West Indies have one win and one loss each.
England's 42-run victory on Friday night against Pakistan was thanks to skipper Heather Knight (62 off 47), who became the tournament's leading run-scorer.
Knight has 176 runs at an average of 88 and set the platform alongside Natalie Sciver (36 off 29) for England to reach 7-158 after Pakistan won the toss and bowled at Manuka Oval.
It should have been more as England lost four wickets and added just six runs from the final 14 balls to limp into the innings break, but it mattered little in the end.
Aiman Anwar (3-30 off four overs) was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers, while Nida Dar (2-43) was expensive but picked up the crucial wicket of Knight.
Only Aliya Riaz (41 off 33) hit past the teens for Pakistan as they failed to negotiate legspinner Sarah Glenn (3-15 off four overs) and seamer Anya Shrubsole (3-25 off four).
Sophie Ecclestone (2-12) and Katherine Brunt (2-32) also picked up wickets as Pakistan were dismissed for 116 after 19.4 overs.
"I was really pleased we managed to get that total and I thought the bowlers were brilliant," Knight said.
"Momentum is a really big thing in T20 and, when you're in form, you've just got to try and cash in so, hopefully, I can keep it going."
Australian Associated Press
