Pakistan’s 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup campaign, led by the young and determined skipper Fatima Sana, hangs by a thread as the tournament enters its crucial middle phase. Hosted across India and Sri Lanka from 30th September to 2nd November, the 13th edition has already tested Pakistan’s resilience to the core.
After three consecutive defeats, to Bangladesh by 7 wickets, India by 88 runs, and Australia by 107 runs, followed by a rain-hit no-result against England on 15th October, Pakistan languish at the bottom of the points table with just one point from four games. The equation now is brutally simple: win their next three fixtures, and win them big, to keep their mathematical semi-final hopes alive.
Pakistan entered the tournament with renewed optimism under Fatima Sana’s fresh leadership; her aggressive yet composed approach had promised a change in fortunes. But the harsh reality of elite-level competition has exposed their recurring frailties. Against Bangladesh, their bowling lacked bite in defending a modest total; India’s Harmanpreet Kaur-led side overwhelmed them with both bat and ball; and while the clash with Alyssa Healy’s Australia showed flashes of fight, the eventual 107-run defeat underlined Pakistan’s inconsistency in both execution and temperament.
Their encounter against Nat Sciver-Brunt’s England offered a glimmer of redemption; Pakistan appeared poised to challenge a heavyweight before heavy rain forced abandonment. That solitary point might prove vital, but it also leaves Fatima Sana’s team facing an uphill climb from the bottom of the table.
Looking forward, Pakistan’s campaign is set entirely in Colombo, a setting that offers both familiarity and a final chance at revival. They meet Sophie Devine’s New Zealand on 18th October at the R Premadasa Stadium (3 PM IST), followed by Laura Wolvaardt’s South Africa on 21st October, and finish against co-hosts Sri Lanka, captained by Chamari Athapaththu, on 24th October. Each contest now carries immense weight, not only in points but in net run rate (NRR) impact, which remains Pakistan’s biggest obstacle to a top-four finish.
To stay in contention, Pakistan must not only sweep these fixtures but win by significant margins, enough to neutralise the heavy defeats suffered earlier. Statistically, they require at least three convincing victories combined with major upsets elsewhere, a scenario that borders on improbable but not entirely impossible.
Amid the collective disappointment, opener Sidra Amin has quietly stood tall for Pakistan. With 116 runs at an average of 38.66 and a strike rate of 72.95 across three innings, she has anchored the top order with grace and consistency. However, the lack of sustained partnerships around her has left Pakistan short of competitive totals.
The middle order, led by Natalia Pervaiz, with Muneeba Ali struggling at the top of the order, needs to step up urgently, while captain Fatima Sana herself must continue leading from the front with both bat and ball. Her leadership and resolve have been commendable, even in adversity. Nashra Sandhu and Diana Baig have carried their bowling attack, supported well by the other spinners.
Historically, Pakistan have finished bottom at the past three Women’s ODI World Cups, a streak that haunts their current campaign. Yet, this squad’s spirit and flashes of competitiveness, especially against Australia and England, hint at evolving depth and belief. As they prepare to face New Zealand in Colombo, Pakistan’s players will know that the path to redemption runs not only through wins and points but through pride, a chance to show that progress is underway, even if the scoreboard doesn’t yet reflect it.
If the rain gods stay merciful and the batting unit clicks, Fatima Sana’s Pakistan could still script a late-turnaround story, one that proves heart and hope can sometimes defy the mathematics of cricket.
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