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Pakistan came agonisingly close to their inaugural one-day international success versus the English side on the Colombo pitch this Wednesday, arriving at 34 without loss going after a DLS-adjusted target of 113 ahead of heavy rainfall cut short their hopes to achieve a milestone.

England's Batting Collapse

England's offensive play has faltered from one disaster to another in this tournament – they required saving through Heather Knight's efforts versus Bangladesh with Nat Sciver-Brunt's contribution against Sri Lanka – in this match it seemed as if their weaknesses would plague them again, as their innings fell apart to 79 runs with seven wickets down in the opening 25 overs.

Weather Interruptions and Comeback

After an initial rain delay lasting nearly 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, helped by the absence of the English team's primary attackers Lauren Bell and Sophie Ecclestone because of illness. Only additional rainfall saved England’s blushes.

“Pakistan bowled brilliantly and created significant difficulties for us to establish ourselves in the match,” the English skipper Sciver-Brunt told Sky Sports. "We didn't meet the standard and we acknowledge our shortcomings. Everyone’s practising really well and perhaps it's a matter of figuring out how to transfer that to matches.”

Competition Consequences

The no-result signifies that England remain on course to reach the knockout stage provided they secure victory any of their last three preliminary games against India, Australia and New Zealand.

Ground State and Bowling Performance

This championship has so far been a haven for spinners, however in this match there was substantial movement that created issues against the English opening lineup, post substantial precipitation 24 hours earlier which washed out the second half of Sri Lanka’s match against New Zealand. The youthful Pakistani skipper Sana bowled an outstanding spell of 5-1-19-3, featuring a maiden over with a wicket at the start, bowling Amy Jones between bat and pad using an inswinging delivery.

Key Moments and DRS Drama

The English batter once again saved herself with a timely DRS review against Sana which was missing leg stump, but then the Pakistani skipper to take two wickets during the subsequent over with two further hooping deliveries – one which Sciver-Brunt edged onto to her stumps, and a subsequent delivery that struck Knight plumb in front.

Before this, The English opener had left the ball to Diana Baig and was dismissed via an inward-moving ball which clipped the top of her wicket, and it was the left-arm bowling of Sadia Iqbal which did for Dunkley and Lamb.

Event Planning Issues

Concerns could surface regarding the choice to host part of the World Cup in Colombo amid the wet period, given that this is the third canceled match at the ground – but England will simply experience relief as they move on to the Indore venue.