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Pakistan narrowly missed out on their first ODI success against England on the Colombo pitch on Wednesday, reaching an unbeaten 34 in pursuit of a target recalculated by DLS set at 113 ahead of pouring rain curtailed their hopes of making history.

England's Batting Collapse

England's offensive play has faltered from one disaster to another in this tournament – they required saving thanks to Heather Knight versus Bangladesh with Nat Sciver-Brunt's contribution when playing Sri Lanka – and here it looked like their frailties would return to haunt them, as they collapsed to a precarious 79/7 in the opening 25 overs.

Weather Interruptions and Comeback

Following an early weather interruption lasting nearly four hours, England came back to add 54 further runs – yet the Pakistani openers Muneeba Ali and Omaima Sohail appeared to be cruising the target, assisted by the unavailability of England’s key strike bowlers Bell and Ecclestone because of illness. Only further rain spared England embarrassment.

"The Pakistani bowlers performed superbly and created significant difficulties for us to establish ourselves in the match,” the England captain the captain told Sky Sports. “We weren’t good enough and we’ll hold our hands up. The team is preparing effectively and it seems we need finding a way to perform similarly during games.”

Tournament Implications

The washed-out game signifies that England remain on course to advance to the semifinals provided they secure victory one of their final three group-stage encounters against India, Australia and New Zealand.

Playing Surface and Bowling Excellence

This tournament has so far been a spinner’s paradise, but here it was significant swing which caused problems to the England top order, after massive rainfall 24 hours earlier that abandoned the remaining portion of the Sri Lanka game with New Zealand. Pakistan's emerging leader Fatima Sana bowled an impressive period with figures of 5-1-19-3, including a wicket maiden at the start, dismissing Amy Jones through the gate with an inswinger.

Key Moments and DRS Drama

The English batter once more preserved her wicket with a timely DRS review facing Sana that was going past leg stump, however the Pakistan captain to strike twice in the following over with two more swinging balls – the first of which the captain deflected onto to her stumps, and another that struck Knight plumb in front.

Previously, Tammy Beaumont had left the ball facing Diana Baig and was dismissed by a nip-backer that grazed the top of her wicket, and it was the left-arm spin from Sadia Iqbal that accounted for Dunkley and Lamb.

Tournament Scheduling Questions

Doubts might emerge regarding the choice to host part of the World Cup at Colombo amid the wet period, given that this is the third canceled match on this pitch – but England will simply experience relief as they progress to Indore.