Pakistan were well placed at 34 for no loss in 6.4 overs, chasing a revised target of 113 from 31 overs (DLS), when rain returned to spoil what looked like their best opportunity yet to defeat England on the world stage. With the result, both sides shared points \u2014 a blow to Pakistan\u2019s semifinal hopes, which now hang by a thread following their third washout of the tournament.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThis was the day we could have beaten them,\u201d Fatima said after the match. \u201cThis pitch was good for pacers. I saw a lot of performances on this track, so I knew it would help fast bowlers. I just tried to bowl in good areas and target the stumps. But I would have been happier if we would have won the match.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Fatima led from the front with a brilliant 4 for 27, dismantling England\u2019s top order in a fiery opening burst. Her spell, supported by Diana Baig (1-25) and Sadia Iqbal (2-16), restricted England to 133 for 9 in 31 overs in a rain-curtailed innings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
After Pakistan won the toss and opted to field, Fatima made immediate use of the seam movement under overcast skies. She removed Amy Jones, Heather Knight, and Nat Sciver-Brunt in her first spell, after Baig had earlier cleaned up Tammy Beaumont, reducing England to 39 for 4 after 6.4 overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
There was a short-lived resistance from Emma Lamb and Sophia Dunkley, who added 15 runs for the fifth wicket, before Sadia Iqbal\u2019s double strike deepened England\u2019s troubles. Heavy rain later forced a three-hour delay, and once play resumed, Charlie Dean (33) and Emily Arlott (21) put on 46 runs for the eighth wicket to lift England past 130.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Under the DLS method, Pakistan\u2019s chase was reduced to 113, and openers Muneeba Ali (9 not out) and Omaima Sohail (19 not out) gave the side a confident start before the rain returned to end proceedings prematurely.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Fatima was full of praise for her top order: \u201cMuneeba and Omaima batted well today. In the last two matches, we did well with the ball \u2014 we just need to improve our batting. Hopefully, we will do that.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, meanwhile, admitted that her side was outplayed in the early stages. \u201cPakistan bowled brilliantly. Fatima and Diana bowled really well and made it hard for us to get into the game at all. The rain break came in \u2014 I thought Charlie and Em batted well in the last six overs to get us to that total. Today, we were not good enough.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Fatima was full of praise for her top order: \u201cMuneeba and Omaima batted well today. In the last two matches, we did well with the ball \u2014 we just need to improve our batting. Hopefully, we will do that.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Looking ahead, Sciver-Brunt added that England would need to quickly adapt to new venues and conditions. \u201cEveryone is practising well; it\u2019s just about putting that into the game. We\u2019re going to a different ground now \u2014 we have to assess conditions, find ways to post a total, and pick the right tools to take wickets.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n