Half-centuries from Ellyse Perry, Elyse Villani and Alyssa Healy have helped Australia to 8-290 in their 50 overs against Pakistan at Leicester.
With runs hard to come by despite the sun-soaked conditions in the English East Midlands, Healy scored a brilliant 63 not out from 40 balls to help Australia from 8-239 to a more than competitive total.
Pakistan have never beaten Australia in eight encounters and have lost all three of their World Cup matches so far.
However, their bowling attack has looked decent and in their last match India were restricted to 9-169.
Australia selectors sprung a huge surprise before the match when the recalled Rachael Haynes was named skipper ahead of vice-captain Alex Blackwell after Meg Lanning was ruled out with a shoulder injury.
Haynes, has not played in the tournament so far, and only returned to the side after a four-year absence in February, but it was she who won the toss elected to bat.
The world champions got off to the worst possible start when opener Beth Mooney edged the second delivery of the match.
Nicole Bolton, who was dropped on two, one of five opportunities grassed by Pakistan, added one more run to her score before being trapped lbw by Diana Baig.
The usually pugnacious Perry (66) played a restrained innings to steady the ship after Haynes (28) was judged to have edged Sana Nair to Nawaz despite replays showing she clearly missed the ball.
Villani's arrival at the crease finally saw some fireworks from Australia with the Victorian smashing four sixes and six fours in a 40-ball 59-run cameo before being bowled by Marina Iqbal.
Her exit saw Australia reduced to 4-143 with Blackwell, (23), Perry and Jess Jonassen (2) all soon following her back to the pavilion.
But some lower-order hitting from Ash Gardner (22) Healy and 33-year-old debutant Sarah Aley (15 not out) got Australia to a total they will be more than confident of defending.
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