🔗 Share this article Torrential Showers Rescues The English Team and Spoils Pakistani Team Hopes of Landmark Win The Pakistani team was inches away from their first one-day international victory against England on the Colombo pitch midweek, reaching 34 without loss chasing a target recalculated by DLS of 113 ahead of heavy rainfall halted their aspirations to create history. England's Batting Collapse The English batting lineup has faltered from one disaster to another throughout this World Cup – they required saving thanks to Heather Knight versus Bangladesh with Nat Sciver-Brunt's contribution versus Sri Lanka – in this match it seemed as if their weaknesses would come back to trouble them, as their innings fell apart to 79 for seven in the opening 25 overs. Showers and Resumption After an initial rain delay for about four hours, The English side resumed to accumulate 54 additional runs – but Pakistan’s openers Ali and Sohail looked to be making short work of the chase, helped by the non-participation of England's main bowlers the pair of Bell and Ecclestone because of illness. Only additional rainfall spared England embarrassment. “Pakistan bowled brilliantly and created significant difficulties for us to gain any momentum in the game,” England's leader Sciver-Brunt stated to Sky Sports. “We weren’t good enough and we accept responsibility. All players are training excellently and it seems we need finding a way to transfer that to matches.” Tournament Implications The washed-out game indicates that England stay on track to advance to the semifinals if they manage to win one out of their remaining three group-stage encounters facing India, Australia and New Zealand. Playing Surface and Bowling Excellence This competition has so far been a haven for spinners, however in this match there was substantial movement that posed difficulties against the English opening lineup, post substantial precipitation 24 hours earlier that abandoned the latter part of the Sri Lankan contest versus New Zealand. The youthful Pakistani skipper Sana bowled a remarkable spell of 5-1-19-3, comprising a wicket-taking maiden first up, getting Amy Jones out between bat and pad with an inswinger. Pivotal Events and Decision Review The English batter once again saved herself with a timely DRS review against Sana that would have missed the leg stump, however the Pakistan captain to claim two scalps in the following over with two more swinging balls – the first of which the captain deflected onto to her stumps, and a second which struck Knight plumb in front. Previously, Tammy Beaumont had opted not to play to Diana Baig and was dismissed by a nip-backer which clipped the top of her off-stump, whereas it was the left-arm bowling of Sadia Iqbal that accounted for both Dunkley and Lamb. Competition Organization Concerns Concerns could surface regarding the choice to host part of the World Cup in the Colombo venue throughout the rainy season, given that this is the third canceled match at the venue – but England will simply feel relieved as they progress toward their next match in Indore.