🔗 Share this article

Pakistan narrowly missed out on their maiden limited-overs success versus the English side on the Colombo pitch on Wednesday, getting to an unbeaten 34 chasing a revised Duckworth-Lewis-Stern goal set at 113 ahead of heavy rainfall halted their aspirations of making history.

England's Batting Woes

The English batting lineup 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 Nat Sciver-Brunt's performance against Sri Lanka – in this match it looked like their weaknesses would return to haunt them, as they collapsed to 79 runs with seven wickets down during the first 25 overs.

Showers and Resumption

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

"The Pakistani bowlers performed superbly and posed serious challenges for us to establish ourselves in the match,” England's leader Sciver-Brunt told Sky Sports. "Our performance was insufficient and we accept responsibility. All players are training excellently and it seems we need figuring out how to do that in games.”

Championship Ramifications

The no-result signifies that The English team continues their path to reach the knockout stage provided they secure victory one out of their remaining three preliminary games against India, Australia and New Zealand.

Playing Surface and Bowling Excellence

This competition has thus far been a spinner’s paradise, however in this match there was substantial movement which caused problems for England's top batsmen, post substantial precipitation the previous day that canceled the remaining portion of Sri Lanka’s match against New Zealand. Pakistan's emerging leader Captain Sana sent down a remarkable spell recording 5 overs, 1 maiden, 19 runs, 3 wickets, featuring a maiden over with a wicket at the start, getting Amy Jones out through the gate via an inward-moving ball.

Crucial Instances and Review System

The English batter once again saved herself with a timely DRS review facing Sana which was missing leg stump, however the Pakistan captain to strike twice in the next over with two further hooping deliveries – one which Sciver-Brunt edged onto the stumps, and a second which struck Knight plumb in front.

Before this, Beaumont had shouldered arms against Diana Baig and was dismissed by a delivery that came back that grazed the top of her wicket, while it was the spin from the left side by Sadia Iqbal that accounted for both Dunkley and Lamb.

Competition Organization Concerns

Questions may be raised regarding the choice to host part of the World Cup in the Colombo venue during monsoon season, given that this is the third washout on this pitch – but England will simply feel relieved as they move on to the Indore venue.