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Rain ruins Sri Lanka’s strong start in World Cup clash

Rain ruins Sri Lanka’s strong start in World Cup clash

Groundsmen cover the field as rain halts play during the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 one-day international (ODI) match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo on October 14, 2025-AFP

ISLAMABAD:  Sri Lanka and New Zealand shared points in their ICC Women's World Cup 2025 fixture after heavy rain washed out play following the innings break in Colombo on Tuesday.


Sri Lanka had posted a strong 258-6 and looked confident with their spin-heavy attack on a slow surface. 


The highlight of the innings was Nilakshika Silva’s explosive fifty, the fastest of the World Cup. Coming in at number six, she reached her half-century in just 26 balls, beating Bangladesh’s Shorna Akter’s record of 34 deliveries.

 

It was her fourth half-century in ODIs, and she crossed the 1,000-run mark in the process, becoming only the eighth Sri Lankan to do so.


Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu returned to form with her 20th ODI fifty, adding 101 runs for the opening stand with Vishmi Gunaratne (42), while Hasini Perera (44) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (26) added useful runs before Nilakshika’s late fireworks powered the total.


New Zealand captain Sophie Devine took three wickets, while Bree Illing claimed two.


The Kiwis will stay in Colombo to face Pakistan on Saturday, while Sri Lanka will take on an in-form South Africa on Friday.