ENG W VS PAK W MATCH 16

Pakistan Women will feel hard done by. They had Australia on the ropes, but allowed things to slip by. Here, they have England Women on the ropes, but seems like the weather gods are in the mood for a second successive washout in Colombo. Usually it does rain quite a lot in Sri Lanka but particularly even more so at this time of the year, with the NorthEast monsoon making its presence felt. At such a time, holding a prestigious event such as a World Cup is always dicy and both, the hosts and Pakistan have had to face the brunt of this scheduling. A washout tonight does give Pakistan their opening points in this tournament but will most likely knock them out unofficially. They will need plenty to go their way if they have to keep their hopes alive of making it to the semis.

UPDATE - 1.32 pm GMT - The rain is pretty steady here in Colombo, and the few spectators who came to watch this game and slowly heading out as well. However, even though we are still a long way from the cut-off time for a 20-over game, it is highly likely that if and when we do resume, we will be seeing Pakistan Women chasing a revised target.

UPDATE - 12.45 pm GMT - It seems that the rain has eased off but not completely stopped. We have already started to lose overs in this contest and the cut-off time for a 20-over contest is 4.08 pm GMT.

Pakistan Women have been in this exact situation against Australia, where they had them 76/7. However, they could not finish the job, with Beth Mooney's century proving to be the difference. They'll be hoping that that's not the case here, and they manage to get the three wickets quickly when play resumes.

UPDATE - 12.21 pm GMT - Nothing much to say as it is still raining and the covers remain firmly in place over the entire ground. The weather forecast suggests this trend in the next couple of hours or so, which will make the job of the ground staff even harder. The waiting game continues...

Earlier today, Pakistan Men's cricket team began their World Test Championship 2025–27 campaign in style with a commanding win over defending champions South Africa. Batting first, they put up 378 on the board, led by fluent knocks of 93 each from Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha, while skipper Shan Masood and Mohammad Rizwan chipped in with fifties. Senuran Muthusamy was the pick of the South African bowlers with six wickets. In reply, the Proteas managed 269, thanks to Tony de Zorzi’s fine hundred and Ryan Rickelton’s fifty, but the spin duo of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan shared nine wickets to give Pakistan the upper hand. Despite some hiccups in the second innings, Pakistan set a target of 277, with Muthusamy bagging another five-for. Noman Ali continued his dominance with four wickets in the final innings, while Shaheen Afridi’s fiery spell, also yielding four sealed a memorable win for the hosts.

UPDATE - 11.47 am GMT - It is properly showering now here in Colombo. Any chance of an early restart looks impossible now. However, we do have an hour of buffer time before we start losing any overs. Stick with us for more news.

UPDATE - 11.19 am GMT - Uh..oh! The drizzle has picked up pace now, and the umpire has called in for the covers. The ground staff quickly runs in and covers the whole ground. We hope that this is just a passing shower and we get back into action soon. Stay tuned for further updates.

UPDATE - 2.14 pm GMT - Good news, folks! It is not raining anymore, and the ground staff are in action. The covers are off from the pitch and the match officials are in some discussion as well. Oh..wow! We have a RESTART TIME as well - 3 pm GMT. Also, it will be a 30-over per side affair.

Game stopped due to : Rain Stoppage

Fuller on the pads, Emma Lamb goes deep and looks to flick but misses out and wears it on her front pad. A group discussion between the fielders about sending this upstairs but they opt against it.

Arm-delivery once again by Sadia Iqbal. Em Arlott goes back and pushes this to mid-wicket for no run.

Tossed up on off, Em Arlott blocks it as well.

Full and wide of off, Em Arlott leaves it.

Arm-delivery on middle and off, Em Arlott blocks it out.

Floated on off, Em Arlott pushes this to mid off for no run.

There is a bit of a drizzle now. Not what Pakistan Women will want at this moment, but England Women won't mind it. The groundstaff are ready with the covers and could be called upon any moment now.

Tossed up on middle and off, Em Arlott drills this down to long on for one.