Before the weather took over, the game had already given glimpses of brilliance — especially from Pakistan’s young skipper Fatima Sana, who tore through England’s top order with figures of 4 for 27, her best performance against England in One-Day Internationals.
A Day That Promised a Thriller
The day began under grey skies at the R. Premadasa Stadium, with rain already threatening to interrupt play. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana won the toss and chose to field first, a decision that paid instant dividends.
The conditions were tailor-made for swing bowling — heavy clouds, a damp outfield, and a hint of movement in the air. England’s openers, Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones, struggled to get going against Pakistan’s disciplined pace attack.
In the very first few overs, Diana Baig struck to remove Beaumont for just four runs. Fatima Sana then produced a masterclass in swing bowling, cleaning up Amy Jones and later dismissing England’s captain Heather Knight and star all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt in quick succession. At one stage, England were tottering at 54 for 5, their innings in complete disarray.
England’s Struggle and Sana’s Fire
Fatima Sana’s spell was nothing short of spectacular. Bowling with aggression and precision, she exploited every bit of movement available, constantly beating the bat and forcing false shots. Her ability to seam the ball both ways kept England’s batters guessing.
After the early collapse, Sadia Iqbal and Rameen Shamim joined the act, tightening the screws further. England’s middle order found no rhythm, and every run had to be earned with immense effort.
Despite the collapse, Charlie Dean showed some resistance. Her gritty 33 off 41 balls helped England cross the 100-run mark. However, rain soon interrupted play for the first time, and the players were forced off the field.
The Rain Takes Over
After several frustrating delays, play finally resumed later in the evening with the match reduced to 31 overs per side. England managed to scrape together a total of 133 for 9 in their allotted overs, thanks to small but crucial contributions from the lower order.
For Pakistan, Fatima Sana finished with outstanding figures of 4/27, while Diana Baig, Sadia Iqbal, and Rameen Shamim chipped in with a wicket each. It was a commanding bowling display that gave Pakistan every reason to believe they could register their first win of the tournament.
Pakistan’s Confident Start
Chasing a modest DLS target of 113 runs from 31 overs, Pakistan openers Muneeba Ali and Sidra Amin began cautiously, ensuring no early mishaps. The pair rotated the strike smartly, mixing singles with the occasional boundary.
At 33 without loss after 6 overs, Pakistan looked well on course to secure a much-needed victory. England’s bowlers struggled to find movement under the damp conditions, and Pakistan’s batters looked composed and confident.
But just as momentum seemed to be building — the rain returned, heavier and more relentless this time.
The Final Blow
Ground staff rushed in with covers as players and fans looked on helplessly. The drizzle turned into a downpour, and within minutes, the field was waterlogged. After multiple inspections and long waiting periods, the umpires finally decided to abandon the match at around 10:00 PM local time.
The announcement was met with visible frustration from the Pakistan camp, especially captain Fatima Sana, who had led from the front and looked poised to guide her side to victory. The match ended with both teams sharing one point each.
Fatima Sana’s Leadership Shines
While the result may have disappointed Pakistan, there were plenty of positives to take from the match. Fatima Sana’s leadership was one of the biggest takeaways. Her decision-making, energy on the field, and aggressive intent with the ball reflected maturity beyond her years.
Speaking after the match, Sana expressed her disappointment but also pride in her team’s performance.
“It’s always tough when the weather decides the result. But I’m proud of how we played today. We stuck to our plans and showed great fight against one of the best teams in the world,” she said.
Her four-wicket haul also earned her praise from cricket pundits around the globe, who described her as one of the brightest emerging stars in women’s cricket.
England’s Narrow Escape
For England, the washout came as a relief. Having been rattled by Pakistan’s pace attack early on, they were staring at a possible defeat before the rain arrived. Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, while relieved with the shared points, acknowledged her side’s poor start.
“We didn’t bat well today. Credit to Pakistan — they were disciplined and made us work for every run. The rain saved us a bit, but we’ll need to bounce back stronger,” she admitted.
England will now have to reassess their approach with tougher fixtures ahead if they hope to make it to the knockout stages.
Pakistan’s Growing Promise
Despite being winless before this fixture, Pakistan’s performance against England showed that they are rapidly improving as a team. Their bowling attack — especially the pace combination of Fatima Sana and Diana Baig — has been one of the most consistent in the tournament.
The fielding, however, remains a concern. A dropped catch by Muneeba Ali early in the innings could have cost Pakistan dearly in another scenario. Still, the overall effort and discipline in the bowling department earned applause from fans and analysts alike.
If Pakistan can find consistency in their batting, they could still turn things around in the remaining matches.
A Familiar Frustration in Colombo
Unfortunately, rain and cricket in Colombo have often gone hand in hand. Over the years, several international matches at the Premadasa Stadium have been marred by weather interruptions. Wednesday’s fixture was no different.
Throughout the afternoon, fans waited patiently as covers came on and off the field multiple times. At one stage, the groundsmen were even ready for a 20-over chase, but the rain returned just when play was set to resume.
The frustration was visible among players and spectators alike, but there was little that could be done. Nature had the final say.
Match Summary
Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Match: Pakistan Women vs England Women, ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025
Result: Match abandoned due to rain — points shared
England Innings: 133/9 (31 overs)
Top Scorer: Charlie Dean – 33 runs
Best Bowler (Pakistan): Fatima Sana – 4/27
Pakistan Innings: 34/0 (6.4 overs)
Target: 113 (DLS)
Result: No Result (Match Abandoned)
Looking Ahead
Both Pakistan and England will move on with a single point each, though for Pakistan, it will feel like a missed opportunity. They had the upper hand for most of the match and were only a few overs away from a potential historic victory against one of the top teams in women’s cricket.
England, on the other hand, will view this as a wake-up call. Their top order once again failed to deliver, and questions will be raised about their preparation against quality swing bowling.
As the tournament progresses, both teams will need to regroup quickly. With the race for semi-final spots heating up, every point will count — and for Pakistan, the weather in Colombo may have just cost them a vital win.
Final Thoughts
Cricket is often called a game of glorious uncertainties, and this match in Colombo was a perfect example. For Pakistan, it was a day that showcased heart, discipline, and promise — qualities that will serve them well in the future. For England, it was a reminder that experience alone doesn’t guarantee success, especially when faced with young, fearless opponents.
As fans left the stadium under umbrellas and heavy rain, there was a shared sentiment — disappointment at the missed action, but also appreciation for the fight shown by both teams.
Even though the scoreboard reads “Match Abandoned,” Pakistan walked away with something far more valuable — confidence.
