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The Pakistani team was inches away from their first ODI victory against England in Colombo on Wednesday, arriving at 34 without loss going after a revised Duckworth-Lewis-Stern goal of 113 prior to heavy rainfall cut short their hopes to create history.

England's Batting Struggles

The English batting lineup has faltered from one disaster to another during this World Cup – they required saving through Heather Knight's efforts against Bangladesh and by Nat Sciver-Brunt versus Sri Lanka – on this occasion it appeared that their weaknesses would plague them again, as they collapsed to 79 for seven during the first 25 overs.

Showers and Resumption

Following an early weather interruption of almost four hours, The English side resumed to add 54 further runs – yet the Pakistani openers Muneeba Ali and Omaima Sohail seemed to be handling easily the pursuit, aided by the unavailability of England’s key strike bowlers Lauren Bell and Sophie Ecclestone due to sickness. Only additional rainfall saved England’s blushes.

"The Pakistani bowlers performed superbly and made it really hard for us to get into the game at all,” the English skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt told Sky Sports. “We weren’t good enough and we accept responsibility. The team is preparing effectively and perhaps it's a matter of discovering a method to transfer that to matches.”

Competition Consequences

The no-result means that England stay on track to reach the knockout stage provided they secure victory one of their final three preliminary games facing India, Australia and New Zealand.

Ground State and Bowling Performance

This tournament has so far been a spinner’s paradise, but here it was prodigious swing which caused problems against the English opening lineup, following heavy rain a day before which washed out the second half of the Sri Lanka game versus New Zealand. The youthful Pakistani skipper Captain Sana bowled a remarkable spell of 5-1-19-3, featuring a maiden over with a wicket initially, bowling Amy Jones through the defense with an inswinger.

Key Moments and DRS Drama

Knight once again saved herself using a prompt Decision Review System appeal versus Sana that was going past leg stump, but then the Pakistani skipper to strike twice in the following over using two additional curving deliveries – the first of which Sciver-Brunt edged onto the stumps, and a second which trapped Knight directly in front.

Before this, Beaumont had opted not to play facing Diana Baig and was dismissed via an inward-moving ball that grazed the top of the off stump, whereas it was the spin from the left side by Sadia Iqbal which did for Sophia Dunkley and Emma Lamb.

Event Planning Issues

Concerns could surface about the decision to host part of the World Cup in the Colombo venue during monsoon season, given that this is the third washout at the ground – but England will simply experience relief while they advance to the Indore venue.