Womens World Cup | Pakistan dominates, however rain guidelines the day

It was one other day the place Pakistan’s bowlers stole the highlight, channelling the frustration of its loss to Australia right into a ruthless exhibiting on the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 in opposition to England right here.

The ominous darkish clouds had one of the best seat in the home to witness the drama that unfolded on the R. Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday.

The handful of spectators watched Pakistan run the present earlier than they have been whisked away by the extended showers.

A baffled England fell sufferer to the ferocity of Pakistan’s tempo assault. Skipper Fatima Sana led the cost with deadly inswingers that wrecked the potent batting lineup.

Amy Jones and Nat Sciver-Brunt have been undone by sharp nipbackers after Diana Baig had despatched Tammy Beaumont again.

Heather Knight, having survived two shut calls through critiques, couldn’t escape a 3rd. By the twenty fifth over, England was reeling at 79 for seven, and the rains got here as a blessing in disguise for the four-time champion.

If the plan was to climate the storm of tempo earlier than tackling spin, it backfired spectacularly.

England, shell-shocked through the PowerPlay, barely rotated strike — 36 of the primary 54 runs got here in boundaries, and its first single didn’t arrive till the fourth over.

When the deadly left-arm orthodox pair of Sadia Iqbal and Nashra Sandhu was introduced on, England was already in bother. Iqbal struck in her second supply, skittling Emma Lamb with an arm-ball.

Sophia Dunkley adopted quickly after, trapped leg earlier than enjoying a premeditated sweep too late, whereas Alice Capsey fell in a similar way.

No one stayed lengthy sufficient to try a restoration, and England’s innings steadily unravelled underneath relentless stress from Pakistan.

The almost four-hour-long delay meant that, when the covers lastly got here off, the damp pitch slowed down additional and supplied uneven bounce.

However, Charlie Dean and debutant Em Arlott transcended the difficult circumstances by swinging exhausting to assemble simple runs. Their 47-run eighth-wicket partnership was comfortably England’s highest of the innings.

Pakistan was 34 for no loss within the seventh over when one other downpour sealed the destiny of the competition.

The scores:

England 133/9 in 31 overs (Charlie Dean 33, Fatima Sana 4/27) vs. Pakistan 34/0 in 6.4 overs (DLS goal: 113 in 31 overs). Match deserted.