🔗 Share this article

The Pakistani team was inches away from their maiden ODI success versus the English side at the Colombo venue on Wednesday, arriving at 34 runs without losing a wicket chasing a target recalculated by DLS totaling 113 runs before heavy rainfall cut short their chances of making history.

England's Batting Woes

England’s batting has faltered from one disaster to another throughout this World Cup – they had to be bailed out through Heather Knight's efforts versus Bangladesh and by Nat Sciver-Brunt versus Sri Lanka – in this match it looked like their weaknesses would return to haunt them, when they crumbled to a precarious 79/7 within the initial 25 overs.

Weather Interruptions and Comeback

After an initial rain delay lasting nearly four hours, The English side resumed to add 54 further runs – however, Pakistan's opening pair Ali and Sohail looked to be making short work the pursuit, assisted by the unavailability of England's main bowlers Lauren Bell and Sophie Ecclestone due to sickness. Only further rain saved England’s blushes.

“Pakistan bowled brilliantly and created significant difficulties for us to get into the game at all,” the English skipper Sciver-Brunt told Sky Sports. "We didn't meet the standard and we acknowledge our shortcomings. The team is preparing effectively and I guess it’s about finding a way to transfer that to matches.”

Competition Consequences

The washed-out game indicates that England remain on course to advance to the semifinals as long as they win one out of their remaining three group-stage encounters against India, Australia and New Zealand.

Ground State and Bowling Performance

This tournament has thus far been a spinner’s paradise, however in this match it was prodigious swing that created issues for England's top batsmen, following heavy rain a day before that abandoned the second half of the Sri Lanka game versus New Zealand. Pakistan's emerging leader Captain Sana sent down an impressive period of 5-1-19-3, comprising a wicket-taking maiden at the start, getting Amy Jones out between bat and pad via an inward-moving ball.

Key Moments and DRS Drama

Knight once more preserved her wicket with a timely DRS review against Sana that was going past leg stump, however the Pakistan captain to strike twice during the subsequent over using two additional curving deliveries – one which Nat Sciver-Brunt chopped on her wickets, and a subsequent delivery that struck Knight plumb in front.

Previously, The English opener had left the ball to Diana Baig and was dismissed by a nip-backer that grazed the top of her off-stump, while it was the left-arm bowling of Sadia Iqbal that dismissed Sophia Dunkley and Emma Lamb.

Competition Organization Concerns

Concerns could surface regarding the choice to organize a portion of the tournament in the Colombo venue during monsoon season, since this represents the third canceled match on this pitch – however England will merely breathe a sigh of relief while they advance to Indore.