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England avoided a shock defeat to Pakistan in the Women’s World Cup as they were saved by heavy rain in Colombo.
An inspired bowling performance from Pakistan saw England slip to 79-7 after 25 overs before the first heavy rain began.
After a long delay, the rain abated and play resumed at 31 runs a side, with England scoring 133-9 after an advantageous stand of 47 between Charlie Dean, who top-scored with 33, and M Arlott.
Pakistan were set a revised target of 113 runs and got off to a promising start by reaching 34-0 before rain resumed and denied them a historic win, which would have been their first one-day international win over England.
It was a lucky escape for England who suffered their second scare of the tournament, having recovered from 78-5 to beat Bangladesh, and a big wake-up call ahead of their toughest challenges against India and Australia that come next.
Pakistan outplayed Nat Sciver-Brunt’s side, who are winless in the tournament so far, as they fell five wickets in the power play, including another failure of the opening partnership. Tammy Beaumont was first down, bowled after letting go of a brilliant delivery from Diana Paige that dropped sharply.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana then starred with three wickets, bowling Amy Jones for eight, before taking the scalps of Nat Seaver-Brunt and Heather Knight, tossed and pounded for four and 18 respectively.
Without their most experienced players, England were left exposed and caught between attack and defence.
Sophia Dunkley and Alice Capsey were sweepers and Emma Lamb’s struggles continued in the sixth over as she was bowled by spinner Sadia Iqbal for four.
Kapsi and Charlie Dean held out a host of Pakistani spinners for 70 balls but added only 21 runs before putting pressure on the former, but Dean was proactive once play resumed by adding valuable runs with Arlott.
Pakistan openers Umaima Sohail and Muneeba Ali were confident starting their response and England were sloppy with the ball, but it was another heartbreak for them as they reduced defending champions Australia to 76-7 before that match slipped away from them as well.
England now travel to Indore to face India and Australia before wrapping up the group stage against New Zealand in Visakhapatnam, with the pitches expected to be more spacious at both venues.
They will be optimistic that Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Bell, who were left out of the XI in Colombo in favor of Sarah Glynn and Em Arlott, will recover from illness in time.
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