The 16th match of the ongoing ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 between England Women and Pakistan Women was abandoned due to persistent rain at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday. Pakistan appeared to be in a commanding position, having reduced England to 79/7 earlier in the day before the weather intervened.
Match reduced and later abandoned due to rain
Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first, with rain causing early interruptions and forcing the contest to be reduced to 31 overs per side. England struggled against Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack, eventually managing 133/9.
Under the DLS method, Pakistan were set a revised target of 113 runs. Their chase began positively, reaching 34/0 in 6.4 overs, when rain returned to halt play. Despite several inspections, continuous showers prevented further action, leading to the match being called off.
Pakistan’s bowlers dominate early proceedings
Pakistan’s bowling attack, led by Fatima Sana, dismantled England’s top and middle order with a fiery spell. Sana finished with impressive figures of 4/27, while Sadia Iqbal claimed two key wickets to deepen England’s woes. Diana Baig and Rameen Shamim also chipped in with crucial breakthroughs, maintaining constant pressure throughout the innings.
Diana Baig struck early, dismissing Tammy Beaumont in just the second over. Fatima Sana then rattled England’s core, first bowling Amy Jones with a delivery that slipped through the gap, before removing captain Natalie Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight in the same over. Sciver-Brunt fell to an inside edge, while Knight was trapped LBW by a sharp inswinger.
England’s lower order fights back
England were in deep trouble at 79/7 after 25 overs. However, a resilient 47-run stand for the ninth wicket between Charlie Dean (33) and Emily Arlott helped the side reach a respectable total. Their partnership provided some stability before both fell late in the innings.
Sadia Iqbal’s clever bowling accounted for Emma Lamb and Sophie Dunkley, with Dunkley’s dismissal confirmed after a successful review showing all three reds on Ball Tracker. Rameen Shamim joined the action, trapping Alice Capsey LBW to complete Pakistan’s dominant display with the ball.
Points and next fixtures
With the match ending in a no result, both teams earned one point each. Pakistan, still at the bottom of the table, will look to regroup ahead of their next clash against New Zealand on October 18, while table-toppers England are set to face India on October 19 in a high-stakes encounter.
Brief Scores:
England Women: 133/9 in 31 overs (Charlie Dean 33, Heather Knight 18; Fatima Sana 4/27)
Pakistan Women: 34/0 in 6.4 overs (Omaima Sohail 19*, Muneeba Ali 9*; Emily Arlott 0/10)