Pakistan Women were within striking distance of defeating England Women in what ended up being an intense, rain-affected match at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. After a lengthy rain delay, the game was cut to 31 overs per side. Pakistan’s ferocious bowling held England to a respectable 133 for 9, but the chase was cut short due to persistent rain, leaving both sides with equal points.
Pakistan chose to bowl at the start of the day, and Fatima Sana was the most impressive player with a scorching spell of four wickets for 27 runs. With the help of Sadia Iqbal’s left-arm spin, her unrelenting seam bowling ripped through England’s top order, leaving them reeling at 79 for 7. As the rain clouds gathered ominously above, Pakistan skillfully took advantage of the pitch’s variable bounce and movement to establish firm control.
Charlie Dean and Emily Arlott’s pivotal partnership in the final six overs after rain helped England reach a manageable total despite the interrupted playtime, and the lower order sighed with relief. Their 54-run partnership gave England something to cling to in trying times and demonstrated their resilience and poise under duress. However, even though England finished with a respectable score, Pakistan always had their nose ahead.
A persistent downpour disrupted the game as Pakistan started their chase. Play was halted after just six and a half overs, with Pakistan at a promising 34 without loss. Pakistan’s momentum was smothered by the rainy skies and continuous showers, which ultimately prevented them from finishing their pursuit and earning a well-earned, historic first-ever victory.
For Pakistan, who had not only used disciplined bowling to reduce England to a low total but had also set the stage for a confident chase, this pause felt like a cruel twist of fate. The team was obviously frustrated because they knew that uncontrollable factors, not their opponents, had stolen the victory.
Despite sharing points, Pakistan’s efforts cannot be understated. Fatima Sana’s spell was a masterclass of seam bowling under pressure, and Sadia Iqbal’s knack for breakthroughs gave her side the edge for most of the game. England, on the other hand, showed resilience in adverse scenarios, grinding out runs when it mattered most and adapting to the rain-shortened format with composure.
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