ICC Women's World Cup: Rain ruins Pakistan's opportunity to upset England

England were rocked by Fatima Sana, whose 4-27 was a masterclass in in-swing bowling either side of a lengthy rain delay, as they posted 133-9 from 31 overs.

Pakistan were positive in the beginning of their chase before the rain returned to bring an early end to the match in Colombo, with both sides taking a point each.

With rain clouds swirling, Pakistan chose to bowl but saw England make a fast start with three early boundaries before Diana Baig responded, bowling a stunned Tammy Beaumont for four.

More boundaries came from Heather Knight but the nip-backer that had done Beaumont in also dismissed her fellow opener Amy Jones for eight, Fatima this time doing the damage to leave England 22 for two.

Former captain Knight and her replacement Nat Sciver-Brunt were in all sorts of trouble as they searched for a response to Fatima's in-swinging deliveries.

Knight successfully overturned an LBW decision, but England were living dangerously, and it was only a matter of time before Pakistan's captain removed her opposite number as Sciver-Brunt was bowled for four.

Knight followed three balls later having made 18 from 17 as the LBW was confirmed this time to leave England 39 for four from 6.4 overs.

Patience was needed, and it came temporarily from Sophia Dunkley and Emma Lamb before both were dismissed in consecutive Sadia Iqbal overs as England slipped to 57 for six.

England desperately needed someone to get in and stay in if they were to post any kind of competitive total, but having survived a dropped catch on eight, Alice Capsey was the third LBW dismissal of the innings as she went for 16 from 43 balls.

Charlie Dean and World Cup debutant Em Arlott had just steadily begun their partnership when rain set in with England at 79-7 with 25 overs gone.

Just under four hours after the players went off, the match restarted with the game reduced to 31 overs per side.

Dean led the charge, making 33 from 51 before becoming Fatima's fourth wicket of the innings as her side posted 133 for nine, adding 54 runs in six over.

Pakistan's required total was revised to 113 from 31 overs and began brightly as Muneeba Ali hit a boundary from the third ball of the innings.

Muneeba and Omaima Sohail kept Pakistan ahead of the run rate until the rain set in with Pakistan at 34 without loss but crucially 13.2 overs short of the minimum of 20 for a result to stand.

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