Rain washes out Pakistan–New Zealand World Cup match yet again

ISLAMABAD: Showering rain played spoilsport yet again as the Pakistan–New Zealand ICC Women’s World Cup match in Sri Lanka ended in a washout on Saturday night, leaving Pakistan’s hopes for a semi-final berth hanging by a thread.

In a must-win clash for Pakistan, the Greens were 92 for 5 after 25 overs when heavy showers interrupted play. The match, earlier reduced to 36 overs per side due to wet conditions, was eventually called off after 8:30pm following repeated delays.

With no result possible, both Pakistan and New Zealand shared a point each, while South Africa became the second team to qualify for the semi-finals. The hard truth remains that Pakistan are still searching for their first victory of the global tournament.

“As a bowling unit, everyone is happy. But we need to improve our batting. We still have a couple of matches left, and we’ll try to play good cricket in those,” said Pakistan captain Fatima Sana after the game. She added that her side aims to finish the event on a high note.

Earlier, New Zealand opted to field first, sending Pakistan to bat. Opener Muneeba Ali began positively, striking a boundary off the very first ball. She was dropped by Isabella Gaze in the second over off Jess Kerr, but failed to capitalize, departing after a 22-run knock shortly after Omaima Sohail’s dismissal.

Muneeba fell to a sharp catch by Suzie Bates at short mid-wicket, while Omaima was trapped lbw by Lea Tahuhu’s pace. Tahuhu continued to trouble the Pakistani batters, claiming the wicket of in-form Sidra Amin, who cut one straight to point after a boundary off Sophie Devine in the previous over.

That turned out to be the last delivery before rain returned to Colombo — a city already enduring two washouts this week amid the ongoing monsoon season.

After the first rain break, Pakistan managed only 40 additional runs while losing their captain Fatima Sana and the set batter Natalia Pervaiz. Natalia was dismissed by spinner Eden Carson while trying to accelerate, and Fatima was bowled by an Amelia Kerr googly.

Pakistan Playing XI

Omaima Sohail, Muneeba Ali, Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Fatima Sana (capt), Rameen Shamim, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal.

New Zealand Playing XI

Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (capt), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Eden Carson, Lea Tahuhu.