Both sides share points as rain forces early abandonment in Colombo
The much-anticipated ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 clash between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo ended in frustration as relentless rain washed out play, forcing both teams to share a point apiece in their final group-stage encounter.
Washout Caps a Tough Campaign for Both Teams
The persistent showers ensured no result was possible after just 4.2 overs, with Pakistan reaching 18 without loss before the weather intervened again. Despite attempts by the ground staff, conditions failed to improve, leading to an official abandonment — the fifth rain-affected fixture of the tournament.
For Pakistan, it marked a disappointing end to their campaign, finishing winless with just three points, all earned through washed-out games. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, closed out their World Cup journey with five points from seven matches, registering a solitary win but showing glimpses of fight in their earlier matches.
Match Shortened Before the Washout
Earlier in the day, a delayed toss due to early rain showers had already shortened the game to 34 overs per side, with a seven-over powerplay. Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu had opted to bowl first, hoping to exploit the overcast conditions, but the plan never materialized as rain returned soon after the start.
Team Changes and Final Hopes Dashed
Sri Lanka made a single change, bringing in Dewmi Vihanga for Udeshika Prabodhani, while Pakistan included Eyman Fatima and Syeda Aroob Shah in their lineup. Both sides, already out of semi-final contention, were eager to end their campaign positively, but nature had other plans.
Sri Lanka’s earlier win over Bangladesh in Navi Mumbai had briefly kept their hopes alive, but India’s victory over New Zealand sealed their exit. Pakistan, on the other hand, never found rhythm throughout the tournament, their only points coming through the misfortune of rain.
Tournament Context
With this washout, both teams bow out of CWC 2025 on a damp note — literally and figuratively. While Sri Lanka can take pride in their competitive spirit and individual flashes of brilliance, Pakistan will look to regroup and rebuild ahead of their next international assignment.