Pakistan had a golden opportunity to achieve their first win over England, but persistent rain forced them to share a point with the four-time champions in their ICC Women’s World Cup match on Wednesday.
Skipper Fatima Sana delivered an impressive spell, taking four wickets, as a disciplined Pakistan attack exploited movement and variable bounce to restrict England to 133 for nine in a rain-shortened 31-overs-a-side contest.
Chasing a modest target of 113 (DLS method), Pakistan’s openers Muneeba Ali (9) and Omaima Sohail (19) got off to a steady start, reaching 34 for no loss in 6.4 overs before rain halted play again.
As the downpour continued, the match was eventually abandoned, dashing Pakistan’s semifinal hopes.
ICC Women’s World Cup 2025: England Vs Pakistan – Highlights
It was a frustrating outcome for Pakistan, who have yet to secure a win in the tournament and remain at the bottom of the standings with three losses.
However, they earned their first point following the washout. They will next face New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka.
England, meanwhile, moved to the top of the table with seven points, the same as Australia (+1.35), but ahead on net run rate (+1.86).
Earlier, Pakistan’s bowlers had England in deep trouble, reducing them to 79 for seven in 25 overs before rain interrupted play for the first time.
Only three English batters — skipper Heather Knight (18), Sophia Dunkley (11) and Alice Capsey (16) — managed to reach double digits as Pakistan maintained complete control.
After a three-and-a-half-hour break, the match was shortened, allowing Charlotte Dean (33) and Emily Arlott (18) to add a crucial 54-run stand in the final overs to lift England to a fighting total.
Diana Baig provided the early breakthrough with a perfect inswinger that rattled Tammy Beaumont’s stumps in the second over. Fatima then ripped through the middle order, removing Amy Jones (8), Nat Sciver-Brunt (4) and Knight in quick succession.
While Jones was beaten by a sharp nip-backer, Sciver-Brunt chopped one onto her stumps, and Knight fell lbw after an unsuccessful review.
Sadia Iqbal (2/25) further tightened the screws, dismissing Emma Lamb and trapping Dunkley (11) leg before following a successful review. Rameen Shamim also joined in, removing Capsey (16) with another leg before verdict upheld on review.
The four-time champions endured a tough time on a sluggish surface, playing out as many as 117 dot balls before the interruption.
When play resumed, Dean struck three boundaries and Arlott added two before a mix-up cost the latter her wicket. Dean became Fatima’s fourth victim in the final over.
This was the third match of the tournament to be washed out, following the abandoned Sri Lanka vs Australia and Sri Lanka vs New Zealand fixtures.
Brief scores:
England 133 for 9 in 31 overs (Charlie Dean 33; Fatima Sana 4/27, Sadia Iqbal 2/16). Pakistan 34 for no loss in 6.4 overs.
(With inputs from PTI)
