Pakistan Women vs Sri Lanka Women: A Rain-Interrupted Finale at the World Cup

The stage was set at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on 24 October 2025 for the final group-stage match of the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup between the Pakistan women’s national cricket team and the Sri Lanka women’s national cricket team. Both teams were already eliminated from semi-final contention, meaning pride and momentum were at stake rather than a place in the knockout rounds.

Match Setup and Conditions

The toss was delayed by rain and damp outfield conditions, a recurring theme in this tournament leg.

When play did get under way, Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl first, believing the conditions offered an early advantage with the ball.

Because of the rain, the match was reduced to 34 overs per side, with special bowling-limits applying: four bowlers allowed up to seven overs each, and one bowler up to six.

The Innings

Pakistan’s Batting Performance

The batters for Pakistan began with an opportunity to set a challenging total, yet they were hampered by the in-and-out weather and the pressure of needing a result. Among the lineup, captain Fatima Sana spoke of aiming for “a strong finish” despite earlier setbacks.

Unfortunately, a full scorecard has not been published yet (as of writing), so exact runs, fall-of-wickets and individual scores are incomplete. What we do know is that Pakistan entered this match still seeking their first win of the tournament.

Sri Lanka’s Bowling and Fielding

Sri Lanka's bowlers seized the early moments, supported by an alert fielding unit. The decision to bowl first paid off in setting the tone, though rain interruptions meant the match may not have run a full course. Sri Lanka’s captain, Chamari Athapaththu, stressed that her side wanted to finish on a positive note in front of home support.

Key Moments & Turning Points

The rain delays and threat of further showers meant both sides had to adapt on the fly. This affected timing, momentum and possibly strategy.

Pakistan’s batting vulnerabilities were exposed in earlier matches of the tournament; this match offered a chance to show improvement. However, the conditions and strong start from Sri Lanka made that difficult.

Sri Lanka, with one win so far in the event, were fighting to avoid a forgettable campaign and the match offered a chance.

What te Match Means

For Pakistan women, this match marked the closing chapter of a tough tournament. Despite moments of promise, they left without a victory—an outcome that will sting but also carry lessons for the future.

For Sri Lanka women, while the semi-final dream was gone, the match offered a chance to build belief and momentum for the next cycle. A positive result here would help.

The larger picture: the 2025 Women’s World Cup has seen growth in visibility and investment in women’s cricket worldwide — both teams are beneficiaries of this trend.

Impact on Fans and Common Viewers

Accessibility: Many ordinary fans may not always watch women's cricket, but matches like this—especially between familiar teams such as Pakistan and Sri Lanka—are stepping stones to wider attention.

Inspiration: For young girls in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, seeing their national teams compete on the world stage matters a great deal.

Weather Matters: The prevalence of rain delays is a reminder that sport isn’t only about skill — conditions play a big role too.

Growth of the Game: This tournament, and this match in particular, highlight how the women’s game is spreading into mainstream awareness.

Final Thoughts

Though both teams entered this match with little to play for in terms of progression, the value lay in credibility, learning and pride. In sport, sometimes the margins are small, the weather is unfriendly, and the results don’t go your way — but the effort matters. Pakistan’s women will look ahead, Sri Lanka’s women will look to build, and fans will watch increasingly.