Raw deal for Pakistan, Sri Lanka collect Rs. 212 million

Fatima Sana: Among top 10 bowlers

Pakistan’s women got what could become one of the worst raw deals in a World Cup in any sport as they were holed up in Sri Lanka at the most flood-wettest of times during the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.

For geo-political reasons and not permitted to play their matches in India, the Pakistani women ended up last in the eight-nation Women’s World Cup with three of their seven matches completely washed out without a result and one match against South Africa where according to rain-affected match rules they had to make 186 in just 8 overs to win which even a batting machine would not have been able to do.

Overall the Pakistani women who were virtually indoors for most of their 30-day stay in Sri Lanka batted for less than 180 overs in all their seven matches as they ended last in the points table.

Literally it could be said that Pakistan lost just three matches through fair means against Australia, India and Bangladesh and came within striking distance of making a match against England when their target was 113 in 31 overs before another flood inundated the ground at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, the only venue they saw during the World Cup.

Interestingly the Pakistan captain and fast bowler Fatima Sana ended as one of the top ten leading wicket takers with 10 scalps. 

Sri Lanka, Pakistan’s host, lost three matches, with three matches rained off and a solitary victory over Bangladesh to end up in fifth place and be entitled to Rs.212 million. 

Australia with 13 points booked their berth in the semifinals as the top unbeaten team while India with just seven points also made it to the knock-out stage along with England (11 points) and South Africa (10 points).

The World Cup has now reached an interesting stage where first placed Australia meets second placed India in a semifinal match on Thursday after South Africa and England meet in the first semifinal on Wednesday. Both matches will be played in India ahead of the November 2 final also in India.

Australia beat India in their round-robin match from which the latter took time to recover and grab the last semifinal slot.