SL-W vs PAK-W

Tomorrow, the action shifts to Indore and it is the table-toppers Australia taking on the high-flying Proteas who are on a 5-match winning streak. Whoever wins will top the league stage and play India in the semis. It is going to be a humdinger, make sure you join us. For now, this is Sourabh Agrawal signing off on behalf of Darpan Tikiya and the entire team. Cheers!

Out of 11 games scheduled in Colombo, as many as 5 did not produce a result and two more were affected by rain. Sophie Devine has been vocal in expressing her frustration as NZ have a lot of the rough share of the weather here in Colombo. Today too, both the captains expressed their disappointment regarding the same in their interviews. Will that prompt ICC to have a rethink in the future global events? We don't know for now but this was the last piece of action from Colombo where we have more rain than cricket once more and the curtains have now come down. Pakistan finish as the only team with no wins and still might finish over Bangladesh courtesy the three points from their three washouts. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka too have had three washouts and could just get a solitary win against Bangladesh in their remaining games. That will be it for both these teams.

Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka Women Captain): "I try to control what I can control. As a team the expectations were high when we came into this WC but we lost first game against India and then England. We did a lot of mistakes as a batting unit and a bowling unit. Results did not go our way unfortunately, we will focus on what we can do in the future. We have good young players and senior players, the senior players go to the young players and give advices. As a captain, I try to free up the girls and try to help them play positive cricket. We play a lot of domestic cricket, we have a good structure in Sri Lanka so hopefully we can be a good team in future. (on where does her team stand in comparison to the top-4) Compared to SA, IND and NZ we beat these teams in the last 12 months and we beat England in England in T20s but the team who plays better cricket on the day wins. We need to improve our batting, we need to play our natural game in the longer format and patience is the most important thing. We are close to the top-4 teams but we cannot win games if we make so many mistakes in one game. We made many mistakes in the game against India and England, that is why we are in this position. (On her future) I'm 35-year old now, have played a couple of World Cups. These are tough conditions to play with the rain, let's see what we can do in the future."

Fatima Sana (Pakistan captain): "I think we were very good in bowling and fielding. We were lacking in batting. In a couple of matches, we were very close to the mark — especially against England and Australia — but we could not get over the line. As the youngest captain, those matches gave me a lot of boost. It did not go in our favour. I think ICC must arrange World Cup games in good venues. We wait four years for a World Cup. We need more cricket. Next year, we have the T20 World Cup as well. Hopefully, we will get more cricket which will help us prepare. Let's see what PCB arranges for us. I am on a learning phase. I always watch Kane Williamson. He lost a very close World Cup (final) but was still smiling. As a young captain, you have to believe in yourself. Hopefully, we will get better. The young girl (who gave her a slip) said 'Please take my number and call me'. She always stands by my side during the national anthem. When I saw legends like Sana Mir baji and Bismah (Mahroof) baji, it inspired me. When Deandra Dottin praised my bowling, it gave me a boost. If you're a good human, you need to do these things (inspire youngsters)."

8:06 PM: The match has been called off. Alas, our desiderium ends in disappointment. We had some fumigation earlier, a lot of rain and alas, the World Cup campaigns of Pakistan and Sri Lanka have ended in a damp squib. It kind of sums up the story of the Colombo leg. Hang around, because we will bring the quotes from the two captains. 

8:01 PM: Good news, folks! The covers have been peeled off. Although, there are some damp patches on the field that are a cause of concern. No official word yet though. We'll give you an update as soon as we have it.

Shriram: "I'm most excited for the top-of-the-table clash tomorrow, backing the Proteas."
That is going to be a humdinger alright. If SA can beat Australia, that would be a huge result for them and set up their semi-final clash with the hosts India.

Gaurav Wahi Singh: "ICC needs to change this venue to continue the next matches of world cup"
No more matches in Colombo after this in this WC, Gaurav. This is the final time the women have come to the Premadasa

7:53 PM local time and IST: The umpires are out in the middle for the inspection. The chief curator and the match referee are also involved in a discussion with the on-field umps. Most of the covers are still on which is not a great sign even though the rain has stopped. We should have an official word soon. Just another reminder, the latest we can start for a 20-over contest in 8:33 PM.

7:50 PM: Greetings, everyone! You're tuned into the live coverage of WWC (Weather Watch in Colombo) 2025. This is the duo of Darpan and Sourabh. We ensconce the commentators' hot-seats hoping that it brings about a change in fortunes and we finally get to see some action. A pitch inspection should be underway soon. Although, the ground still remains under covers.

Till then, we are here to keep you company. Send in your thoughts, queries or predictions about the remainder of this World Cup by hitting the "leave your comment" button at the top of this feed. 

7:45 PM local time and IST: Some good news coming in from the Premadasa, the rain has stopped and there is a pitch inspection scheduled for 7:50 PM which is just 5 minutes away. The groundsmen are slowly peeling the covers off, however most of them are still in place after the downpour we've had. It will take some time. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

7:25 PM local time and IST: Not a lot has happened after our previous update and so, we keep waiting for better news. We will like to remind you friends, that the cut-off time for a 20-over match is 8:33 PM local and IST. 

sahil Bhardwaj: "In the middle of the World Cup after getting the weather forecast details of Colombo, was it a wise decision by ICC to continue with the same schedule? Almost every game in Colombo has been interrupted by rain."
It's a pertinent question raised by you, Sahil. And we do think that this is for the ICC to review seriously, keeping future events in mind.

Prashant: "For me, it stays as Aus vs Ind and Eng vs SA. But I see India reach the final. Against who, I can't say for sure!"
Tell you what Prashant, if India beat Australia in the semi-finals, it will be one massive win! We've noted your prediction, let's see if it comes true!

6:50 PM local time and IST: The rain has definitely eased. But the covers are still on, with the ground staff making efforts to take them off. Hopefully, we are not in for a long delay here. The cut-off time for a 20-over contest is 8:33 PM local and IST.