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Pakistan narrowly missed out on their inaugural ODI victory facing the English team on the Colombo pitch this Wednesday, getting to 34 runs without losing a wicket going after a DLS-adjusted target totaling 113 runs before heavy rainfall curtailed their chances of making history.

England's Batting Woes

England’s batting has lurched repeatedly failing in this tournament – they required saving through Heather Knight's efforts facing Bangladesh and Nat Sciver-Brunt's performance against Sri Lanka – on this occasion it appeared that their weaknesses would return to haunt them, as they collapsed to 79 runs with seven wickets down in the opening 25 overs.

Showers and Resumption

After an initial rain delay lasting nearly four hours, England came back to accumulate 54 additional runs – but Pakistan’s openers the duo of Ali and Sohail seemed to be handling easily the target, aided by the unavailability of England's main bowlers Bell and Ecclestone because of illness. Solely more showers rescued England.

"The Pakistani bowlers performed superbly and created significant difficulties for us to get into the game at all,” England's leader Sciver-Brunt stated to Sky Sports. "We didn't meet the standard and we accept responsibility. The team is preparing effectively and I guess it’s about discovering a method to do that in games.”

Competition Consequences

The abandoned match signifies that England remain on course to reach the knockout stage if they manage to win one of their final three group-stage encounters facing India, Australia and New Zealand.

Pitch Conditions and Bowling Dominance

This tournament has up to now been ideal for spin bowlers, however in this match there was substantial movement that created issues against the English opening lineup, after massive rainfall a day before which washed out the latter part of the Sri Lankan contest with New Zealand. Pakistan’s young captain Sana delivered an outstanding spell recording 5 overs, 1 maiden, 19 runs, 3 wickets, comprising a wicket-taking maiden initially, getting Amy Jones out through the gate with an inswinger.

Key Moments and DRS Drama

Knight once again saved herself using a prompt Decision Review System appeal against Sana that would have missed the leg stump, however the Pakistan captain to take two wickets in the next over with two further hooping deliveries – the first of which the captain deflected onto the stumps, and a second which hit Knight right in front.

Before this, Beaumont had left the ball facing Diana Baig and was dismissed by a delivery that came back which hit the top of the off stump, whereas it was the left-arm bowling by Sadia Iqbal which did for Dunkley and Lamb.

Tournament Scheduling Questions

Concerns could surface concerning the determination to host part of the World Cup in the Colombo venue amid the wet period, given that this is the third washout at the venue – however England will merely experience relief as they move on toward their next match in Indore.