New Zealand Women vs Pakistan Women ICC Women's CWC, 2025 ODI

Up next for the White Ferns is a clash against India on Thursday, 23rd October in Navi Mumbai, while Pakistan will take on South Africa here in Colombo on Tuesday, 21st October. A blockbuster encounter awaits on Sunday, 19th October, as India face England at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. It rained in Indore on Saturday, but we hope for better fortunes on Sunday. The first ball will be bowled at 9.30 am GMT, and as always, do join us early for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

You might be wondering how South Africa have already qualified even though England, India, and New Zealand can still catch up if they lose their remaining two games. The explanation lies in the tiebreaker rules. When teams finish on equal points, the first criterion is the number of wins, and net run rate is considered only if the wins are equal. For example, New Zealand currently have 4 points. If they beat India and England, they would finish with 8 points. India, if they beat Bangladesh and England, would also end up with 8 points. England, if they beat Australia, would have 9 points. If South Africa lose both of their remaining matches, they would also finish on 8 points. In that scenario, India and South Africa would have 4 wins each, while New Zealand can only end up with 3 wins.

Pakistan's skipper, Fatima Sana says that the team got a good start but lost a few wickets. She believes they had a chance to reach 180 and expresses confidence in the bowling unit, given the way they have performed here in Colombo. She hopes the batters will have a better performance in the next game. Overall, she is happy with the bowling but acknowledges that the batting needs improvement. She emphasises the importance of playing well in the remaining matches. Regarding the pitches in Colombo, she observes that although it is expected to assist spinners, she finds movement and enjoys bowling on it. On her captaincy, she admits it is challenging because the team is not winning, but she appreciates the support from her teammates and enjoys leading the side.

The skipper of New Zealand, Sophie Devine, says that they were hopeful, given that even after 5 hours of rain break, South Africa and Sri Lanka managed to get back on the park. Believes that they were in a good position but it's extremely frustrating to wait for four years for the World Cup, and the rain has a major say. Adds that everyone in the dressing room is unhappy with their luck, as they wanted to play cricket. Also says that they need to bag the last two wins in the group stage. Ends up saying that it is going to be a challenge to play India but they will look forward to the challenge.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Earlier, after the toss went their way, New Zealand chose to bowl first, with rain and the possibility of the DLS method looming. Pakistan’s openers got off to a steady start, though Omaima Sohail struggled to get going, while Muneeba Ali looked fluent, striking four delightful boundaries in her brisk 22. The White Ferns were not at their best with the ball, but Lea Tahuhu stood out and reduced Pakistan to 52 for 3 when rain brought the first interruption. After more than an hour’s delay, play resumed with the game reduced to 46 overs a side. Aliya Riaz and Natalia Pervaiz steadied the innings with a useful partnership, but just as they were beginning to settle, Pervaiz perished trying to attack Eden Carson. Amelia Kerr then produced a beauty to dismiss Fatima Sana, and before Pakistan could stitch a recovery, rain returned with the score being 92/5 after 25 overs, and the game never resumed.

Well, it’s official! THE GAME HAS BEEN ABANDONED. It continues to rain, and despite a couple of breaks, it was simply not possible to get the ground ready for play before the cut-off time, even if it were to stop right now. With this outcome, SOUTH AFRICA HAVE QUALIFIED FOR THE SEMIS. It is the second consecutive no result for both sides and they share a point each. When the fixtures were announced, New Zealand would have fancied their chances against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, hoping to claim four points, but the rain has limited them to two. This takes their tally to 4 points from 5 games, with a solitary win and two washouts. As a result, their remaining games against India and England become even more crucial. For Pakistan, it is equally frustrating, as they had pushed Australia and England hard here in Colombo, and had the rain allowed play, they could have challenged for a strong result. They remain the only team without a win and are anchored at the bottom with just 2 points from 5 games, both earned through washouts. They still have games left against South Africa and Sri Lanka and remain mathematically in contention for a semifinal spot.

UPDATE - 3.31 pm GMT - The steady rain continues, and it is increasingly likely that the game will be called off. The situation would have to improve drastically for play to resume, and it will be nothing short of a miracle if that happens.

UPDATE - 3.12 pm GMT - As the rain continues to fall, time is running short with the cut-off of 4.11 pm GMT less than an hour away. First, the rain needs to stop, and even then, it will take the ground staff a fair amount of time to get the outfield ready for play.

UPDATE - 2.43 pm GMT - Unfortunately, the rain has picked up. When it returned earlier, the entire ground was not covered, as it was only a light drizzle, but now the ground staff will have to bring on the remaining covers to protect the entire outfield. It is frustrating for everyone involved, but all we can do is wait for the situation to improve. Stay tuned for more news.

UPDATE - 2.11 pm GMT - And the rain is back! Just as our spirits were lifted with the news of a resumption, the drizzle has returned to dampen the mood once again, and the covers are coming on. It has been that kind of day, and this has been the story not just for this game but for most matches here in Colombo. There has also been lightning in the vicinity of the stadium, so the match officials will need to take this into account when deciding if and when play can safely resume once the rain stops. Ian Bishop informs on air that 4.11 pm GMT is the cut-off time for a 20-over chase for New Zealand.

UPDATE - 2.05 pm GMT - Right then, the match has been reduced to a 36-overs-per-side contest. The innings break will be of 10 minutes, and the Powerplay for the New Zealand innings will be of 7 overs. The game will resume at 2.22 pm GMT.

UPDATE - 1.46 pm GMT - Great news! The rain has subsided, and the covers are coming off. Since the entire ground was covered, it will take some time for all the covers to be removed, but the positive is that it wasn’t a heavy downpour, so there might not be much water pooled on the covers.

UPDATE - 1.42 pm GMT - The rain has not stopped completely, but it has certainly eased. We are hearing that 4.11 pm GMT is the cut-off time for a 20-over chase for New Zealand. Earlier, we lost an hour and 36 minutes during the first rain interruption, and it is now close to an hour since play was halted for the second time.

UPDATE - 1.30 pm GMT - Uh oh! Just as the rain had stopped and the umpires stepped out for an inspection, it has started to drizzle again.

UPDATE - 1.17 pm GMT - The rain has reduced in intensity and is down to a light drizzle. Hopefully, it stops completely soon so that the covers can come off and we can get back to playing.

UPDATE - 1.02 pm GMT - Well, not a great sight as the entire ground has now been covered. New Zealand will be disappointed with this interruption, especially after having Pakistan in a stranglehold through the spin duo of Eden Carson and Amelia Kerr. If the forecast is to be believed, the rain is expected to persist for the next couple of hours.

UPDATE - 12.48 pm GMT - That's it! The umpires have had enough and called in for the cover now. We can see the players walk off the field, and the stop-start game in Colombo continues in this World Cup. Also, we will lose some more overs due to this rain delay. Stay tuned for more updates.

Game stopped due to Rain StoppageGame stopped due to : Rain Stoppage

Game stopped due to Wet Ground ConditionGame stopped due to : Wet Ground Condition

Game stopped due to Rain StoppageGame stopped due to : Rain Stoppage

Eden Carson to Sidra Nawaz, No run.Goes a bit wide on the crease, angled in, on a length, Sidra stabs it down on the off side.

Eden Carson to Sidra Nawaz, No run.Around off, full in length, Sidra pushes it to cover. 102 dots already in the innings!

Eden Carson to Sidra Nawaz, No run.Tossed up, on off, Sidra lunges and taps it to cover.

Eden Carson to Sidra Nawaz, No run.This is shorter and quicker, on off, Sidra guides it to point.

Eden Carson to Sidra Nawaz, No run.This is tossed up, full and on middle, Nawaz plays it back to Eden.

Eden Carson to Sidra Nawaz, 2 runs.Full and around off, Sidra presses on the front foot and carves it to backward point where Rosemary Mair gets low to make the stop but the ball gets past her and concedes a couple of runs.

Eden Carson to Sidra Nawaz, Wide!Wide! This is sprayed down leg, Sidra misses out on the tickle.

It's still drizzling, but the umpires are reluctant to go off at this moment. They want to get in as many overs as possible, which is a good thing.

Amelia Kerr to Aliya Riaz, No run.Beaten! Hangs it up there, full and turning away, Riaz is drawn on the front foot but the ball drops in front of her and rips past the outside edge.

Amelia Kerr to Aliya Riaz, No run.Drops it short again, outside off, cut fiercely but Aliya but straight to backward point.

Amelia Kerr to Aliya Riaz, No run.Serves the googly, short and on middle, Riaz backs away to force it through the off side but gets cramped for room. She adjusts and pats it back to the bowler.

Amelia Kerr to Aliya Riaz, No run.Shorter and on off, Aliya gets on top of it and punches it to cover.

Amelia Kerr to Aliya Riaz, No run.Drags the length back a bit, on off, Aliya Riaz gets her bat out in front to smother the spin.

Amelia Kerr to Sidra Nawaz, 1 run.At 74.3 kph, on the fuller side, outside off, Sidra reaches out and eases it to deep cover for a single.

Eden Carson to Aliya Riaz, No run.Shorter and slower, on off, Riaz goes deep in the crease to stab it down with a straight bat.

Eden Carson to Aliya Riaz, No run.Too full, on off, Aliya firms the drive towards cover.

Eden Carson to Aliya Riaz, No run.Nice and full, attacking the stumps, Aliya Riaz brings her bat out in front to defend.

Eden Carson to Sidra Nawaz, 1 run.Gives the ball a bit of air, full and on off, Nawaz knocks it to deep cover for a run.

Eden Carson to Sidra Nawaz, No run.On the off pole, full in length, Sidra Amin gets forward for the block.

Well, the groundsmen are getting ready with the covering sheets as it is drizzling a bit.

Eden Carson to Aliya Riaz, 1 run.Full and fired in at the pads, Riaz nurdles it off the pads behind square on the leg side for a single.

Amelia Kerr to Aliya Riaz, 1 run.Short and on middle, pulled through square leg for a single.

Amelia Kerr to Sidra Nawaz, 1 run.Fuller and wider on off, SIdra strides out in front and taps it to the right of backward point. Georgia Plimmer slides to her right but the ball goes past her and allows a single to be taken.

Amelia Kerr to Aliya Riaz, 1 run.A googly that slides down leg, on the shorter side. Aliya swivels to help it away but gets a top edge that goes up and falls well short of deep fine leg. They cross.

Amelia Kerr to Aliya Riaz, No run.Short and wide outside off, there to be put away, Aliya reaches out and cuts but picks out backward point.

Amelia Kerr to Sidra Nawaz, 1 run.Loopy delivery, full and outside off, driven to deep point for a run.

Amelia Kerr to Aliya Riaz, 1 run.Turning away, fractionally short, on off and middle, Aliya Riaz takes a step across and is down on one knee to sweep it to deep fine leg for a run.

Eden Carson to Sidra Nawaz, No run.Slows it down and offers flight, around off, Nawaz lunges and pushes it to cover.

Eden Carson to Sidra Nawaz, No run.On off, on a nagging length, Sidra stabs it down.

Eden Carson to Sidra Nawaz, No run.Flatter and shorter, on off, Sidra jabs it back to the bowler.

Eden Carson to Aliya Riaz, 1 run.Turning into the pads, Aliya tickles it to deep fine leg for a single.

Eden Carson to Aliya Riaz, No run.Goes full and gives it a bit of air, on off, Aliya knocks it to cover.

Eden Carson to Aliya Riaz, No run.Full and turning down leg, Riaz gets inside the line for the tickle but misses. Aliya looks at the umpire for wide not given.

Amelia Kerr to Sidra Nawaz, No run.Slows it up, full and on middle, Sidra Nawaz blocks it out.

Sidra Nawaz comes out to the centre.

Amelia Kerr to Fatima Sana, OUT! b Amelia Kerr.OUT! BOWLED! Absolute beauty from Amelia Kerr! She deserves this wicket for the way she has bowled so far and removes the opposition skipper. This is another excellent googly, shortish and around off, turns in sharply. Fatima Sana stays back and tries to cut it away but fails to pick it up and gets cramped up for room. The ball finds the gap between bat and pad to rattle the stumps behind. Sana falls cheaply for 2 off 4, and Pakistan Women lose half their side now.

Amelia Kerr to Aliya Riaz, 1 run.Flighted, full and on off, Aliya Riaz goes down and swipes it off the inner half of the bat through backward square leg for one.

Amelia Kerr to Aliya Riaz, No run.Tossed up, full and on off, Aliya Riaz taps it to short covers.

Amelia Kerr to Fatima Sana, 1 run.Googly, short and on middle, turns in, Fatima Sana moves back to pull but gets cramped up. Gets an inside edge towards deep square leg for a single.

Amelia Kerr to Fatima Sana, No run.Flatter, shortish and on middle, Fatima Sana blocks it out.

Amelia Kerr to Fatima Sana, Wide!WIDE! Fires one full but down the leg, Fatima Sana fails to work it away. Wided.

Eden Carson to Aliya Riaz, No run.Slows it up, full and around off, Aliya Riaz throws her bat at it but misses. Just one run and a wicket from Carson's first over.

Eden Carson to Aliya Riaz, No run.Flighted, full and on off, Aliya Riaz taps it to short covers.

Eden Carson to Fatima Sana, 1 run.Flatter, full and on off, Fatima Sana drills it through covers for a single.

Pakistan's captain, Fatima Sana walks in next.

Eden Carson to Natalia Pervaiz, OUT! c Sophie Devine b Eden Carson.OUT! TAKEN! Natalia Pervaiz tries to take on the new bowler, but perishes! Eden Carson flights this one up, full and around middle, Pervaiz skips down the track to go big down the ground. She fails to get to the pitch of it, but still goes through with the shot. Gets no timing on that one as the ball goes high in the air towards long on, where Sophie Devine comes forward, settles under it, and takes it comfortably. Makes it look easy. The 24-run stand is now broken, and Pakistan Women are four down now.

Eden Carson to Natalia Pervaiz, No run.Tossed up, full and on middle, Natalia Pervaiz turns it to the leg side.

Eden Carson to Natalia Pervaiz, No run.Floated, full and on middle, Natalia Pervaiz uses her feet but yorks herself and jams it back to the bowler.

Amelia Kerr to Natalia Pervaiz, 1 run.Gives this one some more air, full and on off, Natalia Pervaiz swipes it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Amelia Kerr to Natalia Pervaiz, No run.Drags her length back, on middle, Natalia Pervaiz pats it back to the bowler.

Amelia Kerr to Natalia Pervaiz, No run.Put down? Yes, but a very tough chance! Slower through the air, short and on off, turns away a bit, Natalia Pervaiz moves back and just pokes at it. Gets a thin outside edge towards first slip, where Sophie Devine dives to her left and tries to grab it with her outstretched left hand, but fails to hold on to it. These are the catches that stick sometimes, but not this time.

Amelia Kerr to Aliya Riaz, 1 run.Floated, full and on off, turns away a bit, Aliya Riaz goes down for the sweep, but takes her eyes off the ball. Still manages to play it towards deep square leg for a single. The batters are finding it hard to read Kerr here.

Amelia Kerr to Aliya Riaz, No run.Wrong'un, flatter, short and on off, turns in, Aliya Riaz moves back and punches it to short covers.

Amelia Kerr to Aliya Riaz, 2 runs.Risky shot! Tossed up, full and on middle, Aliya Riaz goes down and paddles it towards fine leg for a brace. If she missed that, it would have been plumb.

Lea Tahuhu to Natalia Pervaiz, No run.Pulls her length back a bit, on middle, Natalia Pervaiz makes some room and stabs it to short covers.

Lea Tahuhu to Natalia Pervaiz, No run.Fuller and on off, angling in, Natalia Pervaiz stays back and blocks it out down the pitch.

Lea Tahuhu to Natalia Pervaiz, No run.Pitched up and on middle, Natalia Pervaiz tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Lea Tahuhu to Natalia Pervaiz, Wide!WIDE! Bangs in a bouncer, on off, but a bit too high, Natalia Pervaiz lets it go. Called a wide.

Lea Tahuhu to Aliya Riaz, 1 run.On a length and on off, Aliya Riaz pushes it towards covers for a single.

Lea Tahuhu to Aliya Riaz, No run.Good length and on off, Aliya Riaz steers it to point.

Lea Tahuhu to Aliya Riaz, Four!FOUR! Good intent! Back of a length and on middle and leg, Aliya Riaz skips down the track and heaves it to the deep square leg fence for a boundary. Slightly agricultural but gets the reward.

Amelia Kerr to Natalia Pervaiz, Four!FOUR! False stroke! Looped up, full and on off, turns in a bit too. Natalia Pervaiz tries to drive it on the up but gets an inside edge just past the leg stump and to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Amelia Kerr to Natalia Pervaiz, No run.Brilliant fielding! Flatter, full and around off, Natalia Pervaiz goes down and drags her sweep with good power. Eden Carson at short mid-wicket puts in a full-length dive to her right and makes a superb stop.

Amelia Kerr to Natalia Pervaiz, No run.Floated, full and on middle, Natalia Pervaiz prods forward and blocks it out.

Amelia Kerr to Aliya Riaz, 1 run.A googly now, full and on middle, turns in, Aliya Riaz works it off the inner half of the bat towards square leg for a quick single.

Amelia Kerr to Aliya Riaz, No run.RIPPER! Flighted, full and on off, grips and turns away sharply. Aliya Riaz gets drawn forward into her defensive stroke but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Amelia Kerr to Aliya Riaz, No run.Tossed up, full and on off, Aliya Riaz taps it to short covers.

Lea Tahuhu to Natalia Pervaiz, No run.Full again and on middle, shapes away, Natalia Pervaiz pushes it to short covers.

Lea Tahuhu to Natalia Pervaiz, No run.Much fuller and around off, Natalia Pervaiz strides out and drives it to short covers.

Lea Tahuhu to Aliya Riaz, 1 run.Nicely bowled! Lea Tahuhu bangs this into the pitch, on off, takes off a bit, Aliya Riaz stays back and does well to ride the bounce. Guides it to third man for a single.

Lea Tahuhu to Aliya Riaz, Wide!WIDE! On length but down the leg side, Aliya Riaz misses her flick. Wided.

Lea Tahuhu to Aliya Riaz, No run.Back of a length and on off, Aliya Riaz pats it down towards point.

Lea Tahuhu to Aliya Riaz, No run.Short of a length but well outside off, Aliya Riaz leaves it alone.

Lea Tahuhu to Natalia Pervaiz, 3 runs.BUZZERS! Full and around leg, Natalia Pervaiz clips it through square leg for a single. Rosemary Mair fires in a wild throw that goes over the keeper's head. Eden Carson backing up also only manages to get a hand on it and parries it behind. The batters get two extra runs from it.

Amelia Kerr to Aliya Riaz, No run.Wrong'un, full and on middle, turns in, Aliya Riaz defends it on the front foot. 3 runs off Kerr's first over!

Amelia Kerr to Natalia Pervaiz, 1 run.Looped up, full and on off, Natalia Pervaiz swipes it to deep mid-wicket for another run.

Amelia Kerr to Natalia Pervaiz, No run.Flatter, short and on off, Natalia Pervaiz dabs it to point.

Amelia Kerr to Aliya Riaz, 1 run.Tossed up, full and on off, Aliya Riaz drives it through covers for a run.

Amelia Kerr to Aliya Riaz, No run.Flighted, full drifts in the air, on middle, Aliya Riaz jams it out to the leg side.