The highly anticipated 15th match of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 between Sri Lanka Women and New Zealand Women at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo ended in a disappointing washout, with persistent rain having the final say. The abandonment meant both sides shared a solitary point, a result that significantly hampers the semi-final aspirations of both teams, particularly the winless host nation.
Despite the anticlimax, the day was not without its moments of brilliance, chief among them an explosive performance from Sri Lanka’s middle order that saw them post a formidable total.
First Innings Fireworks: Sri Lanka Sets a Strong Target
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Sri Lanka aimed to set a challenging total and secure their first victory of the tournament. Skipper Chamari Athapaththu led from the front, setting a solid foundation alongside her new opening partner, Vishmi Gunaratne. The pair successfully negotiated the new ball and put on a crucial 101-run partnership, providing the stability the Sri Lankan innings desperately needed. Although both openers benefited from a couple of missed opportunities in the field from the White Ferns, their intent was clear.
Athapaththu notched up a stylish half-century (53 off 72 balls) before being dismissed by New Zealand captain Sophie Devine while attempting to accelerate. Gunaratne (42 off 83) soon followed, bowled by Rosemary Mair, which allowed New Zealand to briefly regain control. Harshitha Samarawickrama (26) and Hasini Perera (44) then stitched together another valuable 58-run stand, putting Sri Lanka firmly in the driving seat for a score well over 250.
However, the hosts suffered a small wobble triggered by New Zealand’s senior all-rounder, Sophie Devine (3/54), and Bree Illing (2/39). This mini-collapse left Sri Lanka precariously placed at 198/5, threatening to undo the good work of the top order.
It was at this critical juncture that Nilakshi de Silva unleashed a blistering counter-attack. The veteran batter demonstrated her experience and power, taking apart the New Zealand bowling attack in the death overs. De Silva smashed seven fours and a six en route to a magnificent, unbeaten half-century (55* off just 28 deliveries), recording the fastest fifty of the entire tournament off an astounding 26 balls. Her late surge propelled Sri Lanka to a highly competitive total of 258/6 in their 50 overs. The last ten overs yielded 80 runs, a testament to de Silva’s breathtaking assault.
For the New Zealand attack, Sophie Devine was the standout performer, showcasing her all-round value by bagging three wickets, though the team’s fielding performance was noted as being below par, with several dropped chances proving costly.
Rain Washes Out the Chase
With a target of 259 to win, New Zealand’s chase was eagerly anticipated, but the weather quickly turned into the main contest. Persistent, heavy rain began shortly after the interval, forcing the players off the field and the covers onto the pitch.
Despite the ground staff’s valiant efforts and several inspections by the umpires, the rain refused to relent. Initially, there was hope for a resumption, potentially leading to a reduced chase under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method. However, after hours of delays and continued showers that rendered the ground conditions unsafe, the umpires were left with no choice but to officially abandon the match.
The washout was a huge disappointment for both sides. For Sri Lanka, it meant their exceptional batting effort—highlighted by Nilakshi de Silva’s record-breaking knock—was rendered entirely void. For New Zealand, who were hoping to build momentum after their recent win against Bangladesh, the shared points leave them outside the top four and facing a more challenging path to the semi-finals.
The result means Sri Lanka remains winless, with their two points in the tournament coming solely from abandoned matches. New Zealand now sits on three points, keeping them in the middle of the table, but they will need a swift return to form in their upcoming fixtures to avoid elimination
