- By Gurmeet Batra
- Wed, 15 Oct 2025 11:00 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Women's World Cup: Pakistan's hopes of a landmark World Cup victory over England were dashed by rain, as the persistent rain ensured they had to settle for a shared point in the Women's World Cup match at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana produced a stellar performance, scalping four wickets, as her team's economical bowling attack manipulated the conditions to restrict England to 133/9 in the rain-shortened 31-over match.
Chasing a humble target of 113 (DLS method), Pakistan's openers Muneeba Ali (9) and Omaima Sohail (19) delivered a steady start, taking the side to 34 for no loss in 6.4 overs before rain returned to halt play once again.
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With the downpour refusing to concede, the match was ultimately abandoned, also crushing Pakistan's semifinal hopes.
The result was a bitter pill to swallow for Pakistan, as they remain winless in the tournament, standing at the bottom of the standings with three defeats.
However, they earned their first point following the washout. They will next face New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka. England, on the other hand, moved to the top of the table with seven points — the same as Australia (+1.35) — but ahead on net run rate (+1.86).
Earlier, Pakistan's bowlers had England in all kinds of trouble, lowering them to 79 for seven in 25 overs before rain interrupted play for the first time.
Only three English batters — skipper Heather Knight (18), Sophia Dunkley (11) and Alice Capsey (16) — worked to reach double digits as Pakistan maintained complete control.
After a three-and-a-half-hour break, the match was clipped, allowing Charlotte Dean (33) and Emily Arlott (18) to stitch up a vital 54-run stand in the final overs to lift England to a battle total.
Diana Baig delivered the early breakthrough with a peach of an inswinger that intimidated Tammy Beaumont's stumps in the second over. Fatima then tore through the middle order, removing Amy Jones (8), Nat Sciver-Brunt (4) and Knight in quick sequence.
The four-time champions survived a torrid time on a slow surface, playing out as many as 117 dot balls before the interruption.
(With PTI Inputs)