England’s World Cup clash with Pakistan halted by rain but not completely resolved
England’s Women’s cricket team saw their hopes tempered rather than extinguished as a rain-affected World Cup fixture against Pakistan finished with both sides claiming a point. Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt admitted the performance was not up to standard, and only a downpour spared England from their first defeat of the tournament in Colombo.
How the weather reshaped the target and the mood
Pakistan were cruising at 34 without loss after 6.4 overs when the weather intervened. What followed was a lengthy delay, followed by a revised target of 113 as the rain shortened the match to 31 overs per side. England, however, slipped to 9-133 in their allotted 31 overs, with the wet conditions complicating any potential run chase. The game’s suspension allowed Pakistan to breathe and reset, while England could only regroup and accept the point on offer.
England’s innings: a late salvage failed to mask issues
England had slumped to 7-79 before the weather window opened. A late flurry from Charlie Dean (33) and Em Arlott (18) offered a glimmer of resistance and a semblance of control, but the revised target looked increasingly attainable for Pakistan as the clouds lingered. When the rain finally ended play for good, England’s innings had not produced the momentum they will need in forthcoming matches to compete for a knockout berth.
Standings and the road ahead: England stay atop, Australia eyes big milestone
Despite the odd results, England returned to the summit of the World Cup standings on seven points, ahead of unbeaten Australia on the basis of a superior net run-rate. The top four teams from the round-robin stage will qualify for the knockout rounds, making every point crucial as the tournament progresses.
Australia’s next challenge: Bangladesh in Visakhapatnam
Australia, currently leading the table, will be aiming to seal a place in the knockout stages by beating Bangladesh in Visakhapatnam on Thursday evening AEDT. The result for the defending champions could shape the final standings and influence who England would face should they advance. Bangladesh will be hoping to upset the odds and complicate the race for spots in the semi-finals.
What England must do next
Sciver-Brunt, speaking after the abandoned match, emphasized accountability and improvement. “We weren’t very good today and we’ll hold our hands up,” she said. England will need to translate their potential into consistent performances across a demanding schedule, with batters and bowlers required to find cohesion and resilience under pressure. The rain interruption was a rare silver lining, but it’s unlikely to be a long-term remedy for a squad seeking sustained momentum as the tournament unfolds.
Key takeaways
- Rain saved England from an early loss, but did not erase troubling weaknesses.
- England maintain top position on seven points, benefiting from net run-rate.
- Australia’s looming matchup with Bangladesh could define the knockout picture.
