New Delhi, October 25 (Udaipur Kiran) – The ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 campaign ended in disappointment for both Pakistan and Sri Lanka after their final group-stage match in Colombo was abandoned due to persistent rain. Only 4.2 overs of play were possible before the match was called off, with Pakistan scoring 18 runs without loss when the rain returned.
The result meant Pakistan exited the tournament winless, while Sri Lanka finished fifth in the standings.
Despite the disappointing finish, both captains — Fatima Sana of Pakistan and Chamari Athapaththu of Sri Lanka — expressed optimism and determination for the future.
Fatima Sana: “We’ll Return Stronger Next Time”
Speaking after the match, Fatima Sana said,
“Our bowling and fielding were very good, but our batting let us down. We came close against big teams like Australia and England but couldn’t finish the matches. As captain, I’ve gained a lot of confidence from these games. The weather wasn’t in our favour, but we’ve learned a lot from this World Cup.”
She added that the lack of match practice before the tournament affected Pakistan’s rhythm:
“We’ve played very little cricket recently, so it’s crucial that we get more games between World Cups. With the T20 World Cup scheduled next year, we’ll aim to prepare better. As a young captain, I believe in myself and my team — we’ll come back stronger.”
Chamari Athapaththu: “We’re Very Close to the Top Four”
Sri Lanka’s captain Chamari Athapaththu also expressed disappointment over the weather disruptions but praised her team’s progress.
“Our expectations were very high for this World Cup, but early mistakes cost us. Still, we’ve got a great mix of youth and experience in the side. Continuous domestic cricket has helped build confidence within the team,” she said.
Athapaththu highlighted Sri Lanka’s recent successes against top-tier teams:
“In the past 12 months, we’ve beaten strong sides like South Africa, India, and New Zealand, and even defeated England in T20s. We just need to stay true to our natural game in longer formats. We’re very close to the top four — only a little fine-tuning is needed.”
While the rain ended their campaigns prematurely, both captains’ comments reflected resilience, self-belief, and a renewed focus on improving before their next international challenges.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
