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Pakistan narrowly missed out on their inaugural one-day international success facing the English team at the Colombo venue on Wednesday, arriving at 34 runs without losing a wicket going after a revised Duckworth-Lewis-Stern goal of 113 prior to pouring rain cut short their aspirations to create history.

England's Batting Struggles

England's offensive play has stumbled repeatedly failing in this tournament – they had to be bailed out by Heather Knight facing Bangladesh with Nat Sciver-Brunt's contribution versus Sri Lanka – on this occasion it appeared that their frailties would plague them again, as their innings fell apart to 79 for seven within the initial 25 overs.

Showers and Resumption

Following an early weather interruption of almost four hours, England returned to accumulate 54 additional runs – yet the Pakistani openers the duo of Ali and Sohail seemed to be handling easily the target, assisted by the unavailability of England's main bowlers Lauren Bell and Sophie Ecclestone due to sickness. Solely more showers rescued England.

"Pakistan delivered exceptional bowling and posed serious challenges for us to establish ourselves in the match,” the England captain the captain stated to Sky Sports. "Our performance was insufficient and we accept responsibility. All players are training excellently and I guess it’s about discovering a method to do that in games.”

Competition Consequences

The no-result means that England remain on course to progress to the semi-finals provided they secure victory one out of their remaining three group-stage encounters facing India, Australia and New Zealand.

Playing Surface and Bowling Excellence

This competition has thus far been a spinner’s paradise, however in this match there was substantial movement that created issues to the England top order, post substantial precipitation the previous day which washed out the latter part of Sri Lanka’s match versus New Zealand. The youthful Pakistani skipper Sana delivered a remarkable spell recording 5 overs, 1 maiden, 19 runs, 3 wickets, including a wicket maiden at the start, bowling Amy Jones through the gate with an inswinger.

Pivotal Events and Decision Review

Knight once again saved herself through a well-timed DRS review against Sana that would have missed the leg stump, only for the Pakistan captain to take two wickets in the next over with two further hooping deliveries – one which Nat Sciver-Brunt chopped on to her stumps, and a subsequent delivery that struck Knight plumb in front.

Earlier, Tammy Beaumont had left the ball to Diana Baig and was bowled by a delivery that came back that grazed the top of her off-stump, and it was the left-arm spin of Sadia Iqbal that dismissed both Dunkley and Lamb.

Competition Organization Concerns

Questions may be raised regarding the choice to host part of the World Cup in Colombo throughout the rainy season, since this represents the third abandonment at the ground – but England will simply breathe a sigh of relief as they move on to Indore.