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Pakistan came agonisingly close to their maiden limited-overs success versus the English side at the Colombo venue on Wednesday, arriving at an unbeaten 34 chasing a target recalculated by DLS of 113 before torrential downpours cut short their hopes to achieve a milestone.

England's Batting Woes

England's offensive play has faltered from one disaster to another during this World Cup – they required saving thanks to Heather Knight versus Bangladesh with Nat Sciver-Brunt's contribution versus Sri Lanka – in this match it looked like their weaknesses would return to haunt them, as their innings fell apart to a precarious 79/7 during the first 25 overs.

Showers and Resumption

Following an early weather interruption of almost four hours, England came back to add 54 further runs – but Pakistan’s openers the duo of Ali and Sohail looked to be making short work the target, aided by the absence of England’s key strike bowlers Lauren Bell and Sophie Ecclestone due to sickness. Only further rain saved England’s blushes.

"Pakistan delivered exceptional bowling and made it really hard for us to get into the game at all,” the England captain the captain told Sky Sports. "Our performance was insufficient and we’ll hold our hands up. The team is preparing effectively and perhaps it's a matter of figuring out how to transfer that to matches.”

Tournament Implications

The washed-out game means that England remain on course to reach the knockout stage provided they secure victory any of their last three group-stage encounters facing India, Australia and New Zealand.

Playing Surface and Bowling Excellence

This championship has up to now been ideal for spin bowlers, but here there was substantial movement which caused problems for England's top batsmen, after massive rainfall the previous day that abandoned the second half of Sri Lanka’s match against New Zealand. Pakistan’s young captain Fatima Sana bowled an impressive period recording 5 overs, 1 maiden, 19 runs, 3 wickets, comprising a wicket-taking maiden at the start, dismissing Amy Jones through the defense with an inswinger.

Key Moments and DRS Drama

Heather Knight again rescued herself with a timely DRS review against Sana which was missing leg stump, however the Pakistan captain to strike twice in the next over using two additional curving deliveries – one which Nat Sciver-Brunt chopped on the stumps, and a subsequent delivery that struck Knight plumb in front.

Before this, The English opener had left the ball against Diana Baig and was bowled via an inward-moving ball which clipped the top of the off stump, whereas it was the left-arm spin from Sadia Iqbal which did for Dunkley and Lamb.

Tournament Scheduling Questions

Concerns could surface about the decision to stage half of the World Cup in Colombo during monsoon season, given that this is the third abandonment at the venue – yet the English team will just feel relieved as they progress to the Indore venue.