In match 19 of Women’s World Cup 2025, New Zealand, led by Sophie Devine, were up against Pakistan, led by skipper Fatima Sana, on 18th October 2025, in Colombo. This venue has been in the headlines for its persistent nature of rain, leaving a significant impact on most of the games in this edition.
Pakistan retained the same side that took the field in the previous encounter. New Zealand brought back Lea Tahuhu for the crucial clash, replacing Bree Illing in the starting 11.
Pakistan openers, led by Muneeba Ali, showed much better urgency to keep the scoreboard ticking alongside Omaima Sohail, who was making her 100th International Appearance for Pakistan. The duo stitched a promising 30-run opening stand before Lea Tahuhu broke the stand, by sending Omaima Sohail back to the pavilion in the 7th over of the innings to provide the first breakthrough for New Zealand. Muneeba Ali (22 off 26 balls) looked in good rhythm before she departed in the 8th over of the innings to provide the 2nd breakthrough for the Sophie Devine-led side.
The rain made its presence felt for the first time in the day, midway through the 13th over of the innings, bowled by Lea Tahuhu. After a lengthy delay, we were supposed to have a curtailed 46-overs per side contest. New Zealand capitalised on the opportunity to reduce Pakistan to 92/5 in 25 overs. Lea Tahuhu (6-1-20-2), Amelia Kerr (6-0-21-1), Eden Carson (4-0-7-1), and Jess Kerr (4-0-14-1) were impressive with the ball for New Zealand. The leg-spinner Amelia Kerr bagged her 200th victim at the international level when she dismissed the opposition skipper Fatima Sana.
However, the joy was sustained for only a brief period of time, as the clouds made their way back, and another persistent burst of showers ensured, yet another game, 3rd in the last five games, headed into a wash-out, before the dreaded words “the play has been abandoned” from the match officials forced the White Ferns to share a point with Pakistan, even after being all-over the Fatima Sana-led unit.
A washout meant that the Sophie Devine-led side, moving to four points from five games, found themselves in a potential knockout situation for the rest of the league stages, needing to win all their remaining games to sneak into the semi-finals. The news from Colombo turned into a pure moment of jubilation for the Proteas, as they became only the 2nd team after Australia to secure a spot in the semi-finals.
The fact that the rains are having a significant impact on the campaign in the ongoing ICC Women’s ODI World Cup left the White Ferns skipper Sophie Devine frustrated in the post-match presentation, with her even suggesting an alternative solution of hosting games at the venue in the early morning hours to tackle the significant weather interruptions.
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