Cricket fans witnessed heartbreak and frustration as the Women’s World Cup 2025 clash between Sri Lanka and New Zealand was abandoned due to persistent rain, forcing both teams to share points. The match, played at a drenched venue that had promised high drama, ended without a result—dashing Sri Lanka’s hopes of securing a crucial win against the White Ferns.
Sri Lanka’s Strong Start Cut Short
Before the downpour intervened, Sri Lanka looked well on course to claim an impressive victory. Their openers provided a solid platform, with Chamari Athapaththu once again leading from the front. Her aggressive intent against New Zealand’s pace attack gave Sri Lanka early momentum. Supported ably by Harshitha Samarawickrama, the pair built a steady partnership that had fans believing in another upset in this tournament.
At the halfway mark of their innings, Sri Lanka were in a commanding position, scoring freely against both spin and pace. The Kiwi bowlers struggled to find rhythm under overcast conditions, and captain Sophie Devine was forced to rotate her bowlers frequently in search of a breakthrough.
Rain Plays Spoilsport
Just when Sri Lanka appeared to be tightening their grip on the contest, the weather took a turn for the worse. A steady drizzle turned into a heavy shower, halting play for the first time. Despite multiple inspections by the umpires, conditions never improved enough to allow a resumption. Eventually, after a long delay, the match was officially declared abandoned.
The outcome was especially disheartening for Sri Lanka, who seemed to be in control and were eyeing their second major win of the tournament. For New Zealand, the abandonment came as a relief—they avoided what looked like a potential defeat.
Points Shared, Stakes Remain High
With the match ending without a result, both teams received one point each, a development that complicates the Group standings. Sri Lanka, who have been the tournament’s surprise package so far, will now have to win their remaining fixtures to stay in semifinal contention. New Zealand, on the other hand, will see this as a reprieve but must address concerns around their batting depth and inconsistent bowling if they hope to progress further.
Players React
Speaking after the washout, Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu expressed disappointment but remained optimistic:
“We were playing really well and felt confident of winning, but that’s how cricket goes. We’ll take the positives and focus on the next game.”
New Zealand captain Sophie Devine admitted her side was under pressure before the rain came:
“Sri Lanka started strongly, and we were trying to claw our way back. The weather helped us a bit today, but we’ll take the point and move forward.”
Fans Left Disappointed
Spectators, both at the ground and following online, voiced their disappointment as yet another thrilling contest was curtailed by rain. The weather has been a recurring theme in this edition of the Women’s World Cup, prompting calls for better scheduling and reserve days for crucial matches.
