Colombo: Fatima Sana and Chamari Athapaththu both looked to the future after a frustrating day in Colombo saw Pakistan and Sri Lanka end their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 campaigns with a washout.
Just 4.2 overs were bowled in between heavy showers, with Pakistan reaching 18 without loss in a match reduced to 34 overs before the rain intervened again.
Pakistan end the competition winless, with three points gained from no results, though they had two of the semi-finalists, Australia and England, in deep trouble during earlier group matches.
They looked well set for an upset over England when the elements halted their pursuit of 113 with Pakistan on 34 for no wicket. Then they had the reigning champions 76 for seven before Beth Mooney’s century got Australia out of jail.
“We were very good on the bowling and fielding side but we were lacking in the batting,” Fatima said.
“In a couple of matches, we were up to a very good mark and very close against Australia and England but unfortunately we did not cross the line.
“As captain, these matches give me a boost to take from this World Cup. The weather didn’t go in our favour in the England match and in our last couple of matches.
“We have not played much cricket in the recent past, we need much more cricket in between World Cups.
“In the next year, we have a T20 World Cup so hopefully we can prepare ourselves for the big events.
“As a young captain, you have to believe in yourself and hopefully we will be a much stronger team at the next World Cups.”
