Did Rain Ruin Pakistan's Chance for a Historic Win Against England in Women's World Cup?
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Synopsis
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Pakistan's hopes of securing their first-ever win over England in Women’s ODIs were dashed by relentless rain during the ICC Women’s World Cup match. With both teams sharing points, Pakistan's semifinal aspirations now hang by a thread.
Key Takeaways
- Pakistan's hopes for a historic win against England were ruined by rain.
- Fatima Sana showcased her talent with a remarkable bowling performance.
- The match ended in a no-result, impacting Pakistan’s semifinal chances.
- England managed to post a score of 133 after a rain-reduced innings.
- Pakistan needs to focus on upcoming matches to keep their tournament hopes alive.
Colombo, Oct 15 (NationPress) Pakistan faced a devastating blow as relentless rain thwarted their aspirations for a historic first victory over England in Women’s ODIs. The ICC Women’s World Cup encounter at R. Premadasa Stadium concluded with a no-result on Wednesday.
Pakistan was in a strong position at 34 without loss in 6.4 overs, pursuing a revised target of 113 from 31 overs (DLS), when rain fell again, compelling the umpires to abandon the match. Both teams ended up sharing points, a result that complicates Pakistan’s chances of reaching the semifinals after experiencing three washouts in the tournament.
Earlier, Fatima Sana showcased an impressive bowling display, taking 4 wickets for 27 runs in a remarkable opening spell that unsettled England’s batting lineup, limiting them to 133 for 9 in a rain-reduced innings.
After winning the toss, Pakistan captain Fatima Sana opted to field in overcast conditions, leading her team by example with the new ball, effectively utilizing swing and seam to dismantle England’s batting order.
She dismissed Amy Jones, Heather Knight, and Nat Sciver-Brunt during her first spell, while Diana Baig also took out Tammy Beaumont, leaving England struggling at 39 for 4 after just 6.4 overs.
There was a brief fightback from Emma Lamb and Sophia Dunkley, who added 15 runs for the fifth wicket, but Sadia Iqbal (2/16) quickly made an impact, bowling Lamb with a quicker delivery and trapping Dunkley lbw, as England slipped further to 79 for 7 after 25 overs.
A heavy downpour interrupted the game for nearly three hours, leading to a reduction to 31 overs per side once play resumed. At 79 for 7, Charlie Dean (33) and Emily Arlott (run out 21) forged a crucial 46-run eighth-wicket partnership, helping England surpass the 130 mark. Dean fell in the last over, chipping a delivery to short fine leg, as England managed 8 runs in the final over to finish at 133 for 9.
With England losing nine wickets before the rain interruption, the DLS calculation adjusted Pakistan’s target to 113, considering the dwindling “resources” available to the batting side.
Upon resumption, Muneeba Ali (9 not out) and Omaima Sohail (19 not out) provided Pakistan with a solid start until rain interrupted play once more.
For Pakistan, the shared points offer little solace — this was their third abandoned match of the tournament, leaving their chances for a semifinal spot hanging by a thread as they approach crucial matches in the remaining league stage.
Brief scores:
England 133/9 in 31 overs (Charlie Dean 33, Heather Knight 18; Fatima Sana 4/27, Sadia Iqbal 2/16) vs Pakistan 34/0 in 6.4 overs (Muneeba Ali 9*, Omaima Sohail 19*). Match ends in no result
Point of View
It is crucial to acknowledge the challenges faced by the Pakistan team during this World Cup. The persistent rain not only affected their chances but also highlighted the unpredictability of the sport. With shared points, the team must refocus and prepare for the remaining fixtures to keep their semifinal hopes alive.
NationPress
15/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the match between Pakistan and England abandoned?
The match was abandoned due to persistent rain which disrupted play, leading to a no-result decision after both teams had to share points.
What impact does this result have on Pakistan's World Cup chances?
This result complicates Pakistan's chances of reaching the semifinals as they have now had three washouts in the tournament.
Who performed well for Pakistan in the match?
Fatima Sana delivered a standout performance with the ball, taking 4 wickets for 27 runs, significantly weakening England's batting lineup.
What was England's score before the rain interruption?
England finished with a score of 133 for 9 in 31 overs before the rain interrupted the match.
What was the revised target for Pakistan after the rain?
Pakistan's revised target was set at 113 runs from 31 overs due to the DLS adjustments.
