Pakistan stumble to 52-3 before rain stops play

News Desk

Colombo:The rain-soaked city of Colombo witnessed yet another frustrating day for Pakistan in the ICC Women’s World Cup, as their must-win encounter against New Zealand was halted by showers soon after they lost their third wicket.

By the time play stopped at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Pakistan were 52 for 3 in 12.2 overs — a situation that mirrored their luckless campaign marred by weather interruptions and inconsistent batting.

Sent into bat after losing the toss, Pakistan began the innings with cautious optimism. Opener Muneeba Ali offered a glimpse of intent, clipping a boundary off the very first delivery to get off the mark. She received an early life when wicketkeeper Isabella Gaze spilled a straightforward chance in the second over off Jess Kerr, but the reprieve didn’t last long.

Muneeba’s promising start ended on 22, courtesy of a sharp catch by Suzie Bates at short mid-wicket. Her dismissal came soon after Omaima Sohail’s exit — trapped lbw by Lea Tahuhu, who used her pace and skidding deliveries to good effect on the damp surface.

Tahuhu continued to dominate with the new ball, adding the in-form Sidra Amin to her tally. Sidra, after briefly settling in and striking a boundary off Sophie Devine, cut one straight to point to leave Pakistan reeling.

Just as the innings seemed to be stabilizing, the clouds opened up yet again — forcing the players off the field. For the spectators, the scene was all too familiar. The Sri Lankan capital, caught deep in the monsoon season, has already seen two World Cup matches abandoned earlier in the week, and Saturday’s game now seemed poised to suffer the same fate.

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Pakistan, unchanged from their previous outing against England, had entered the contest with their semi-final hopes hanging by a thread. Skipper Fatima Sana, at the toss, had expressed confidence in her side’s ability to turn things around: “Our batting will hopefully execute better today.” Yet, the combination of disciplined Kiwi bowling and persistent rain seemed determined to deny Pakistan that chance.

For New Zealand, the inclusion of Lea Tahuhu in place of Bree Illing paid immediate dividends. Skipper Sophie Devine’s decision to bowl first also looked tactical, given the looming rain clouds. “We want to have first crack at the track, especially with rain around,” Devine explained before the match — a decision that may well have put her side in control before the interruption.

Saturday’s stoppage comes just days after Pakistan’s fixture against England was abandoned under similar circumstances. Chasing a revised target of 113, Pakistan were cruising at 34 without loss in 6.4 overs when another downpour ended proceedings, costing them a potential historic win. That washout, coupled with today’s interruption, leaves the team’s World Cup journey increasingly uncertain.

Despite the setbacks, the players have remained optimistic. Omaima Sohail, speaking ahead of the match, said the squad still believed in their slim chances of making the semi-finals. But as the rain fell steadily in Colombo, those hopes seemed to fade further — not for lack of fight, but due to the cruel twist of weather and timing that has followed Pakistan throughout the tournament.

For now, both teams await a break in the rain — and perhaps, for Pakistan, a break in their luck.

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