That’s the way, Skip! Fatima struck at regular intervals to leave England in trouble.
| Photo Credit: AFP
It was another day where Pakistan’s bowlers stole the spotlight, channelling the frustration of its loss to Australia into a ruthless showing at the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 against England here.
The ominous dark clouds had the best seat in the house to witness the drama that unfolded at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday.
The handful of spectators watched Pakistan run the show before they were whisked away by the prolonged showers.
A baffled England fell victim to the ferocity of Pakistan’s pace attack. Skipper Fatima Sana led the charge with lethal inswingers that wrecked the potent batting lineup.
Amy Jones and Nat Sciver-Brunt were undone by sharp nipbackers after Diana Baig had sent Tammy Beaumont back.
Heather Knight, having survived two close calls via reviews, couldn’t escape a third. By the 25th over, England was reeling at 79 for seven, and the rains came as a blessing in disguise for the four-time champion.
If the plan was to weather the storm of pace before tackling spin, it backfired spectacularly.
England, shell-shocked during the PowerPlay, barely rotated strike — 36 of the first 54 runs came in boundaries, and its first single didn’t arrive until the fourth over.
When the lethal left-arm orthodox pair of Sadia Iqbal and Nashra Sandhu was brought on, England was already in trouble. Iqbal struck in her second delivery, skittling Emma Lamb with an arm-ball.
Sophia Dunkley followed soon after, trapped leg before playing a premeditated sweep too late, while Alice Capsey fell in a similar fashion.
No one stayed long enough to attempt a recovery, and England’s innings steadily unravelled under relentless pressure from Pakistan.
The nearly four-hour-long delay meant that, when the covers finally came off, the damp pitch slowed down further and offered uneven bounce.
However, Charlie Dean and debutant Em Arlott transcended the tricky conditions by swinging hard to gather easy runs. Their 47-run eighth-wicket partnership was comfortably England’s highest of the innings.
Pakistan was 34 for no loss in the seventh over when another downpour sealed the fate of the contest.
The scores:
England 133/9 in 31 overs (Charlie Dean 33, Fatima Sana 4/27) vs. Pakistan 34/0 in 6.4 overs (DLS target: 113 in 31 overs). Match abandoned.
Published – October 15, 2025 11:19 pm IST
