🔗 Share this article

Pakistan narrowly missed out on their maiden limited-overs win against England in Colombo this Wednesday, getting to an unbeaten 34 in pursuit of a target recalculated by DLS set at 113 ahead of heavy rainfall halted their hopes to create history.

England's Batting Woes

England’s batting has lurched repeatedly failing in this tournament – they needed rescuing by Heather Knight facing Bangladesh and Nat Sciver-Brunt's performance against Sri Lanka – in this match it appeared that their frailties would come back to trouble them, when they crumbled to 79 for seven within the initial 25 overs.

Rain Delays and Recovery

Postponed first by rain lasting nearly four hours, England came back to score another 54 runs – but Pakistan’s openers Ali and Sohail seemed to be handling easily the pursuit, aided by the absence of England's main bowlers Lauren Bell and Sophie Ecclestone due to sickness. Only additional rainfall spared England embarrassment.

"Pakistan delivered exceptional bowling and made it really hard for us to gain any momentum in the game,” the English skipper Sciver-Brunt told Sky Sports. "We didn't meet the standard and we’ll hold our hands up. All players are training excellently and perhaps it's a matter of finding a way to perform similarly during games.”

Championship Ramifications

The no-result means that The English team continues their path to advance to the semifinals as long as they win one of their final three group matches versus India, Australia and New Zealand.

Pitch Conditions and Bowling Dominance

This competition has up to now been a haven for spinners, however in this match it was significant swing which caused problems to the England top order, following heavy rain a day before that canceled the remaining portion of the Sri Lanka game against New Zealand. Pakistan's emerging leader Sana sent down a remarkable spell with figures of 5-1-19-3, featuring a maiden over with a wicket first up, bowling Amy Jones through the defense using an inswinging delivery.

Key Moments and DRS Drama

The English batter once again saved herself through a well-timed DRS review versus Sana that was going past leg stump, however the Pakistan captain to claim two scalps in the next over with two further hooping deliveries – one which Sciver-Brunt edged onto the stumps, and a second which trapped Knight directly in front.

Earlier, Beaumont had shouldered arms against Diana Baig and got bowled via an inward-moving ball which hit the top of her off-stump, whereas it was the left-arm bowling from Sadia Iqbal which did for both Dunkley and Lamb.

Event Planning Issues

Questions may be raised about the decision to host part of the World Cup at Colombo throughout the rainy season, given that this is the third canceled match on this pitch – but England will simply experience relief as they move on toward their next match in Indore.