Pakistan captain Fatima Sana openly expressed her frustration after relentless rain in Colombo led to the abandonment of their ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 match against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium. The match was called off after merely 4.2 overs, marking an unfortunate fifth washout in Colombo during the tournament.
“I think the only thing that didn’t go in our favor was the weather,” Fatima stated emphatically, highlighting a significant issue. “The ICC must arrange three good venues for the World Cup because we wait for four years to play in the World Cup.” She underscored the critical need for improved logistical planning in upcoming editions of the tournament.
The draw meant Pakistan and Sri Lanka each received a point, with Pakistan concluding the tournament without a single victory. Despite this setback, Fatima offered a thoughtful assessment of her team’s journey. “I think we were very good in the bowling and fielding side, but we are lacking in the batting department,” she observed. “We showed promise in a couple of games, giving a close fight to strong teams like Australia and England, but unfortunately, we were unable to cross the main line and secure a win.”
The 23-year-old skipper, leading her country for the first time in a major global event, also shared reflections on her captaincy experience. “As the youngest captain of the team, I have gained a lot of valuable lessons from this World Cup,” she explained. “We haven’t played much cricket recently, so we really need to step up our game. With the T20 World Cup approaching next year, we must be fully prepared.”
Fatima also revealed her source of inspiration for handling the pressures of leadership. “Pressure was constantly there, but I always looked to Kane Williamson,” she admitted. “He lost the World Cup very closely, yet he managed to maintain a smile. I’m simply trying to remain calm. When you’re captaining a losing side, it’s crucial to maintain belief in your team. Hopefully, we will perform much better in our future matches.”
Sri Lanka’s captain, Chamari Athapaththu, echoed sentiments about the difficult playing conditions while commending her team’s composition. “We boast some truly talented young players alongside our seasoned seniors,” she noted. “The experienced players consistently guide the youngsters, and as captain, I strive to support all the girls. My primary focus is always to encourage them to play positive cricket.”
Athapaththu acknowledged the challenging, rain-affected leg of the tournament but maintained an optimistic outlook for her team’s prospects. “These conditions are definitely tough, playing under lights and constantly battling the rain, which makes everything harder. But we will continue to work hard and aim for greater achievements moving forward.”
With all matches in Colombo now concluded, the remaining fixtures of the Women’s World Cup will shift to India. Players and fans alike are eager for a stretch of uninterrupted cricket.