🔗 Share this article

Pakistan narrowly missed out on their inaugural one-day international win against England in Colombo this Wednesday, getting to 34 without loss chasing a DLS-adjusted target of 113 ahead of pouring rain cut short their chances of making history.

England's Batting Collapse

England’s batting has lurched repeatedly failing during this World Cup – they had to be bailed out through Heather Knight's efforts facing Bangladesh and Nat Sciver-Brunt's performance when playing Sri Lanka – and here it appeared that their frailties would come back to trouble them, as their innings fell apart to 79 for seven during the first 25 overs.

Rain Delays and Recovery

Postponed first by rain lasting nearly four hours, The English side resumed to accumulate 54 additional runs – but Pakistan’s openers the duo of Ali and Sohail seemed to be handling easily of the chase, aided by the absence of the English team's primary attackers the pair of Bell and Ecclestone due to sickness. Only additional rainfall spared England embarrassment.

"The Pakistani bowlers performed superbly and made it really hard for us to gain any momentum in the game,” the English skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt stated to Sky Sports. “We weren’t good enough and we accept responsibility. The team is preparing effectively and perhaps it's a matter of finding a way to transfer that to matches.”

Championship Ramifications

The washed-out game means that The English team continues their path to reach the knockout stage provided they secure victory one of their final three group matches facing India, Australia and New Zealand.

Ground State and Bowling Performance

This competition has thus far been ideal for spin bowlers, however in this match it was significant swing which caused problems to the England top order, following heavy rain 24 hours earlier that abandoned the latter part of the Sri Lanka game against New Zealand. Pakistan's emerging leader Fatima Sana delivered a remarkable spell of 5-1-19-3, including a wicket maiden initially, getting Amy Jones out through the gate via an inward-moving ball.

Crucial Instances and Review System

Knight again rescued herself using a prompt Decision Review System appeal facing Sana that would have missed the leg stump, however the Pakistan captain to take two wickets in the next over with two more swinging balls – including one that Sciver-Brunt edged onto her wickets, and another that trapped Knight directly in front.

Earlier, Tammy Beaumont had shouldered arms against Diana Baig and was bowled via an inward-moving ball that grazed the top of the off stump, 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 about the decision to stage half of the World Cup in the Colombo venue during monsoon season, considering this is the third washout on this pitch – but England will simply breathe a sigh of relief as they progress to Indore.