COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: England narrowly avoided a major defeat after rain washed out their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 group-stage match against Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday, allowing both teams to share points.
The washout ensured England stayed top of the points table with seven points, while Pakistan, still without a win, were eliminated from semi-final race after collecting only their first point in four matches.
Rain denies Pakistan after strong start
Chasing a revised target of 113 runs under the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern (DLS) method, Pakistan were comfortably placed at 34 without loss in 6.4 overs when rain returned to halt play permanently.
With no reserve days scheduled for the group matches, the game was abandoned, dealing a blow to Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals.
“It’s disappointing because today was the day we could have beaten them, but the weather was not in our favour,” Pakistan captain Fatima Sana said after the match.
“We bowled well, and I knew the pitch was good for fast bowlers. Hopefully, we can execute with the bat in the next games.”
Pakistan now face New Zealand on Saturday at the same venue, while England will meet co-hosts India in Indore on Sunday.
England’s batting collapse
Earlier, after being sent in to bat, England were restricted to 133 for nine in 31 overs, struggling throughout against Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack.
Bowling all-rounder Charlie Dean top-scored for England with 33 off 51 balls, sharing a 47-run eighth-wicket stand with Em Arlott to lift their side from a precarious 57 for six.
Pakistan’s captain Fatima Sana led from the front, claiming four wickets for 27 runs in six overs, while Sadia Iqbal took two for 16.
England’s innings was interrupted for nearly three hours due to rain, forcing a reduction to 31 overs per side when play resumed.
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt admitted her team were below par. “Pakistan bowled brilliantly and made it really hard for us to get into the game at all,” she said. “After the rain break we batted better, but we weren’t good enough today. We’ll hold our hands up.”
Sciver-Brunt added that England would need to “play miles better” in upcoming fixtures against India and Australia if they are to maintain their place at the top of the standings.
Match Summary:
England Women – 133/9 (31 overs)
Pakistan Women – 34/0 (6.4 overs)
Match Abandoned – Points Shared
