SA W VS PAK W MATCH 22

UPDATE - 11.39 am GMT - It looks like the rain has eased once again, and the ground staff are back in action. It is still dark overhead and the floodlights are glittering. The squares and the pitch are still under covers. Natalie Germanos on air mentions that when the rain briefly stopped and repair work began, the match had already been reduced to 42 overs per side, with 11.40 am GMT set as the tentative restart time. But just when all the covers were removed and everything was set, the drizzle came back, forcing the covers back on. Which also means that more overs will be lost now.

UPDATE - 11.27 am GMT - Palms on face. And just like that… RAIN IS BACK IN COLOMBO. The ground staff is bringing in the main covers again. The pitch and the center squares are back under the blue sheets. As we type, more covers are coming on now. And as it has been almost two hours since the game halted, it is highly likely that we will have a truncated game, if and when it resumes. But for now, it is raining and we hope that it stops.

UPDATE - 11.03 am GMT - The Super Soppers are doing the rounds to dry the wet patches across the field. The umpires were out for an inspection as well. There is no rain as we speak, which is positive news. Also, conditions have brightened up considerably now. We should have an official update on resumption any time now.

UPDATE - 10.42 am GMT - It’s been an hour since the rain brought play to a halt. The ground staff are hard at work, removing water from the covers before they can be fully taken off, so it will take a while for the outfield to be ready. For now, the rain has eased up, it seems. But it continues to remain very dark overhead. We will keep you updated as the situation develops.

UPDATE - 10.18 am GMT - Some positive news coming in. The rain seems to have stopped. While the threat remains for further rain interruptions, the covers are being gradually peeled off from the center squares. But the pitch is still under covers. Looking at the weather pattern in Colombo, one might not be very optimistic, as this could well be another start-stop kind of a day.

UPDATE - 10.10 am GMT - It looks like the rain has reduced to a drizzle now. But it is still very dark overhead, and the floodlights have been switched on as well. All we can do is pray that the rain stops as soon as possible so we can get back to some cricketing action. Stay tuned for further updates from a wet Colombo.

South Africa's young, 18-year-old keeper-batter, Karabo Meso, also caught up for a quick chat with Julia Price before the game. She says that she’s thoroughly enjoying being around the team, adding that playing in front of such a crowd is an amazing experience, something they don’t often get in Under-19 cricket. She mentions that she wasn’t nervous in her debut game, especially after a few encouraging words from skipper Wolvaardt, who told her to just be fearless. Meso also reveals that AB de Villiers has been her role model throughout her journey and says the team is approaching every game with the right mindset and plenty of positivity.

As we wait for the weather to clear up, let’s hear what Pakistan Women’s head coach, Mohammad Wasim, has to say on the team's progress. He says that after the first match, Pakistan Women have shown steady improvement. Adds that their batting has let them down at times, but with every game, they have looked a little sharper and more settled. Mentions that the bowling, though, has been their biggest strength, and it has consistently stepped up and kept them in the contest. Notes that even against New Zealand, they were in a decent position for large parts of the game, and with a bit more support from the batters, the result could have gone their way. Further says that they’ve always known bowling is their main weapon, and it was evident in the qualifiers, where their batters also chipped in at crucial stages to balance things out. That’s exactly what they’ve been hoping for again in this tournament. However, as it often happens in big ICC events, the pressure factor has come into play. Tells that the side has struggled a bit with composure in tight moments and needs that extra calmness to close games better. Still, there are positives, as the pace unit has been excellent, with skipper Fatima Sana leading from the front, showing control and intent. Reveals that alongside that, their spinners bring quality and variety, giving the team a well-rounded attack. Ends by saying that all they now need is for the batting group to stand up, find consistency, and match the energy their bowlers have been delivering throughout the tournament.

UPDATE - 9.46 am GMT - More blue covers are being rushed onto the field as the rain has intensified. The entire playing area is now under protection. Unfortunately, the skies don’t look encouraging at all. Those dark clouds are rolling in thick and fast, and this could well turn into a long delay.

UPDATE - 9.42 am GMT - Just two overs in the game and the heavens have opened up in Colombo. The umpires request the players to walk off the field. Alan Wilkins says that it is just a windy squall and should clear up soon. The ground staff, with 'military precision' as Wilkins calls on air, bring the blue sheets to protect the pitch and the squares.

Game stopped due to : Rain Stoppage

On a length, drifting on leg, Sune tries to flick but misses. The ball brushes her back pad and goes to the left of the keeper, who gets across that side and picks it up. Both batters wanted a single but then decided not to take it. The keeper fires a throw at the batting end, but Sune has dragged her bat inside the crease in time.

Pitched up, full and moving away, outside off, Sune shoulders her arms.

WIDE! On a good length but slides down the leg side, Sune looks to tickle it but misses. A wide given.

Sune Luus walks in at number 3.

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! The Pakistani skipper is leading from the front, and she keeps providing early breakthroughs with the new ball. She bowls it on a length and outside off with a wobbled seam, getting it to move away a bit. Tazmin Brits remains deep in her crease and throws her hands at it. Goes with hard hands to push, but gets a thick outside edge that goes towards first slip, where Natalia Pervaiz remains a bit crouched and pouches it around knee height. Tazmin Brits departs for a four-ball duck. This is her third duck in this World Cup. South Africa Women are 5/1.

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! The Pakistani skipper is leading from the front, and she keeps providing early breakthroughs with the new ball. She bowls it on a length and outside off with a wobbled seam, getting it to move away a bit. Tazmin Brits remains deep in her crease and throws her hands at it. Goes with hard hands to push, but gets a thick outside edge that goes towards first slip, where Natalia Pervaiz remains a bit crouched and pouches it around knee height. Tazmin Brits departs for a four-ball duck. This is her third duck in this World Cup. South Africa Women are 5/1.

Short of a length and around off, Tazmin Brits presses back and punches it a bit uppishly but in the gap to mid off.

On a length and shaping in, around off, Brits gets on top of the bounce and defends it back to the bowler.