Colombo, October 24, 2025: Persistent rain in Colombo once again played spoilsport as the 25th match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 between Sri Lanka and Pakistan was abandoned without a result at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Friday.
The match, initially reduced to 34 overs per side, saw Sri Lanka winning the toss and opting to field first. Pakistan reached 18 without loss in 4.2 overs before rain forced players off the field. Repeated interruptions eventually led to the game being called off, with both teams sharing a point.
The washout capped a disappointing campaign for Pakistan, who finished winless — losing four matches while three ended without a result. They concluded the tournament seventh in the standings with three points, just above Bangladesh, who remain at the bottom with two.
Pakistan’s campaign began with a seven-wicket defeat to Bangladesh, followed by heavy losses to India (by 88 runs) and Australia, despite a spirited fight in the latter. Their fixture against England was curtailed by rain when Pakistan came close to a historic victory, while another against New Zealand was abandoned without a ball bowled. They later suffered a 150-run defeat to South Africa before their final match against Sri Lanka met the same rainy fate.
Following the match, Pakistan captain Fatima Sana expressed frustration over the weather disruptions and urged the ICC to ensure better scheduling and venue planning for future tournaments.
“The only thing that didn’t go in our favour was the weather. ICC must arrange at least three good venues for the World Cup — we wait four years for this event,” she said.
Reflecting on her team’s performance, the 22-year-old skipper admitted Pakistan had struggled with the bat.
“We were good in bowling and fielding but lacked consistency in batting. We gave close fights to Australia and England but couldn’t cross the final line,” she noted.
Speaking about her leadership journey, Fatima said she had gained valuable experience as the youngest captain in the tournament.
“It’s been a learning experience. We didn’t play much cricket recently, but we have the T20 World Cup next year and need to prepare well,” she said. “Pressure is always there, but I try to stay calm — like Kane Williamson. Even when losing, you must keep faith in your team.”
She also shared a lighter moment from the tournament, recalling an encounter with a young fan before a match.
“A little girl told me before the national anthem, ‘Please take my number and call me, I’m your biggest fan.’ I laughed and enjoyed her company throughout the tournament,” Fatima said, adding that encouragement from senior international players early in her career helped build her confidence.
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, meanwhile, remained optimistic despite weather setbacks.
“We can only control what’s within our reach. We’ve made mistakes in batting, fielding, and bowling, but we’re learning and focusing on improving,” she said.
Chamari praised her team’s mix of youth and experience, saying, “We have a good balance — senior players guide the youngsters, and I encourage everyone to play positive cricket. We’ve beaten top teams recently, including England in their own backyard. We just need to be more consistent.”
With Colombo’s rain-marred leg now over, the remainder of the Women’s World Cup 2025 will shift to India, where players and fans alike will hope for clear skies — and a smoother finish to the tournament.
