Could Fatima Sana's Four-Wicket Haul Propel Pakistan to Victory in Rain-Affected Match?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In a thrilling encounter, Captain Fatima Sana's stunning performance propelled Pakistan towards a historic win against England in the Women's World Cup. With her remarkable four-wicket haul, she not only dismantled England's batting order but also set the stage for Pakistan's chase of 113 runs in a rain-affected match.
Key Takeaways
- Fatima Sana's exceptional bowling performance (4-27).
- Pakistan's first win of the tournament.
- Significance of the DLS Method in adjusting targets.
- Impact of weather on match strategy and outcomes.
- Historical context of Pakistan's victory against England in Women's ODIs.
Colombo, Oct 15 (NationPress) Captain Fatima Sana delivered an exceptional opening spell, dismantling England's top order to finish with impressive figures of 4 for 27. Pakistan successfully limited England to 133 for 9 in 31 overs during their Women’s World Cup encounter at the rain-affected R. Premadasa Stadium.
Utilizing the DLS Method, Pakistan faced a revised target of 113 runs in 31 overs, marking their first victory of the tournament and their inaugural win against England in Women’s ODIs.
After choosing to field first under cloudy conditions, Fatima quickly exploited the swing and seam on offer.
The right-arm seamer dismissed Amy Jones, Heather Knight, and Nat Sciver-Brunt in her opening spell, having previously seen off the dangerous Tammy Beaumont, who was bowled by Diana Baig. England found themselves in dire straits at 39 for 4 after just 6.4 overs, as Fatima's precise lengths and late movement proved overwhelming for the English batsmen.
There was little relief for England. Emma Lamb and Sophia Dunkley momentarily steadied the innings with a partnership of 15 runs for the fifth wicket, but Sadia Iqbal struck twice in quick succession — first bowling Lamb with a well-placed arm ball, followed by trapping Dunkley lbw shortly after. England slumped to 79 for 7 after 25 overs, as Alice Capsey's brief counterattack ended with her dismissal attempting a big shot.
Heavy rain interrupted play for nearly three hours, necessitating a reduction to 31 overs per side once conditions improved. Resuming with limited wickets, Charlie Dean and Emily Arlott contributed valuable runs, adding 46 runs for the eighth wicket to give England some score to defend.
Their partnership ended when Arlott was run out, and Dean fell in the final over, chipping a delivery to short fine leg.
England managed to add 8 runs in the last over, concluding at 133 for 9, but their early collapse, with nine wickets down before the rain delay, meant that under the DLS adjustment, their effective resource depletions resulted in a revised target of 113 for Pakistan.
Brief scores: England 133/9 in 31 overs via DLS Method (Charlie Dean 33, Heather Knight 18; Fatima Sana 4-27, Sadia Iqbal 2-16) against Pakistan.
Point of View
It is clear that Fatima Sana's performance exemplifies the resilience and skill of the Pakistani women's cricket team. This victory not only boosts team morale but also marks a significant milestone in their ODI history against England. We stand with our national teams, celebrating their achievements and supporting them through challenges.
NationPress
15/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the match between Pakistan and England?
Pakistan won the match against England by successfully chasing a revised target of 113 runs.
Who was the standout player in the match?
Captain Fatima Sana was the standout player, taking 4 wickets for 27 runs.
What was England's total score in the match?
England scored 133 runs for 9 wickets in 31 overs.
Where was the match played?
The match took place at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
What impact did rain have on the match?
Rain interrupted the match, leading to a reduction in overs for both teams.
