🔗 Share this article

Pakistan narrowly missed out on their first ODI win against England on the Colombo pitch on Wednesday, reaching an unbeaten 34 going after a DLS-adjusted target set at 113 prior to torrential downpours halted their hopes to achieve a milestone.

England's Batting Struggles

England's offensive play has stumbled from crisis to crisis during this World Cup – they needed rescuing through Heather Knight's efforts facing Bangladesh and by Nat Sciver-Brunt when playing Sri Lanka – and here it seemed as if their vulnerabilities would come back to trouble them, as their innings fell apart to 79 runs with seven wickets down during the first 25 overs.

Showers and Resumption

After an initial rain delay of almost four hours, England returned to add 54 further runs – however, Pakistan's opening pair Muneeba Ali and Omaima Sohail seemed to be handling easily of the chase, helped by the non-participation of the English team's primary attackers the pair of Bell and Ecclestone through illness. Only further rain saved England’s blushes.

"The Pakistani bowlers performed superbly and posed serious challenges for us to establish ourselves in the match,” the English skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt stated to Sky Sports. "Our performance was insufficient and we’ll hold our hands up. All players are training excellently and perhaps it's a matter of finding a way to transfer that to matches.”

Tournament Implications

The no-result indicates that England stay on track to progress to the semi-finals provided they secure victory one of their final three group matches against India, Australia and New Zealand.

Pitch Conditions and Bowling Dominance

This competition has so far been a spinner’s paradise, but here it was significant swing that created issues against the English opening lineup, post substantial precipitation 24 hours earlier that abandoned the latter part of the Sri Lankan contest with New Zealand. Pakistan’s young captain Captain Sana delivered a remarkable spell recording 5 overs, 1 maiden, 19 runs, 3 wickets, including a wicket maiden first up, getting Amy Jones out through the defense using an inswinging delivery.

Crucial Instances and Review System

The English batter once again saved herself using a prompt Decision Review System appeal against Sana that was going past leg stump, but then the Pakistani skipper to strike twice in the next over with two further hooping deliveries – including one that Sciver-Brunt edged onto her wickets, and a subsequent delivery that trapped Knight directly in front.

Earlier, Tammy Beaumont had opted not to play against Diana Baig and got bowled via an inward-moving ball which clipped the top of her wicket, whereas it was the spin from the left side from Sadia Iqbal that dismissed Sophia Dunkley and Emma Lamb.

Competition Organization Concerns

Concerns could surface regarding the choice to stage half of the World Cup in the Colombo venue amid the wet period, considering this is the third abandonment at the venue – however England will merely breathe a sigh of relief as they move on toward their next match in Indore.