Alyssa Healy played a key part in Australia's opening win in the ICC women's world T20 competition in the West Indies ©Getty Images

Australia, favourites in the International Cricket Council Women's World T20 competition, began their campaign with a crushing 52-run win over Pakistan in the West Indies.

The three-times champions made 165-5 in Guyana's Providence Stadium, with three players passing 40, and Pakistan never challenged with 113-8 in the Group B match.

In the opening match of this 10-nation tournament at the same venue, India, yet to reach a World T20 final, beat New Zealand by 34 runs in their Group B meeting after posting 194-5, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur striking eight sixes in her 103.

Hosts and defending champions West Indies trashed Asia Cup winners Bangladesh in the third match of the day in Group A.

They posted just 106-8 in Guyana but were too strong as they skittled their opponents for 46 to win by 60 runs.

Wicket-keeper and player of the match Alyssa Healy gave Australia some early momentum in their clash after they chose to bat and helped them to 50 without loss after only 34 balls.

After Healy was caught at long-on for 48 in the eighth over to leave the Australians on 72-1, Pakistan began to restrict the scoring.

India's captain Harmanpreet Kaur hit eight sixes as her side beat New Zealand in the first match of the ICC Women's World T20 competition in the West Indies ©Getty Images
India's captain Harmanpreet Kaur hit eight sixes as her side beat New Zealand in the first match of the ICC Women's World T20 competition in the West Indies ©Getty Images

Opening partner Beth Mooney also made 48 and skipper Meg Lanning fired a six in her 41 before she was one of two wickets to fall in the final over.

Pakistan had lost three wickets by the end of the powerplay and teenage leg-spinner Georgia Wareham then struck twice in the 12th over thanks to two catches from Healy.

India, who lost their Asia Cup title for the first time in June when they were beaten by Bangladesh, had beaten England in their last warm-up game.

They were 40-3 when Kaur came to the crease in the sixth over, but the 29-year-old propelled them to their highest World T20 total, only four runs short of their highest T20 score.

The leading run-scorer in women's T20 internationals, Susie Bates, gave New Zealand a positive start in reply, but her 50-ball 67 ended in the 14th over to leave her side on 98-5 and they closed on 160-9.

Deandra Dottin was the star for West Indies as she ripped through Bangladesh with figures of 5-5 in their big win.

Group A also features England, South Africa and Sri Lanka with Ireland the other side in Group B.

Australia are in Group B and will have to face India, New Zealand, Pakistan and Ireland in the first stage of the tournament.

The top two teams in each group will progress to the next round.

The tournament's final will take place at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.