In Colombo, the SL W v NZ W match in the Women’s World Cup 2025 was called off due to heavy rainfall, which halted the game and the two had to share points.
India Today reports that Sri Lanka had 258/6 with 53 for 28 by Chamari Athapaththu and 55 off 28 by Nilakshika de Silva, the fastest 50 of this tournament, and 3/54 by Sophie Devine of New Zealand. The outcome sees New Zealand on 3 points, keeping their semi-final dreams alive, and Sri Lanka yet to receive their first win in the Women world cup 2025.
Rain Stops the Play: Sri Lanka’s Bright Start Ends in Disappointment
It was expected to be the statement game of Sri Lanka in the Women World Cup 2025. They began with confidence and enthusiasm, eventually demonstrating the will that fans had been longing to see. Chamari Athapaththu was in the lead in Colombo, opening with a steady 53 out of 72.
Her performance of consistent innings created the stage upon which Nilakshika de Silva emerged and totally altered the pace afterwards. She smashed an unbeaten 55 from just 28 balls, reaching the fastest fifty of this Women’s World Cup 2025. It was the type of innings that could have tipped the SL W v NZ W game towards Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka had made it to 258 for 6 by the end of 50 overs and this was a real hope. Their optimistic attitude and intelligent collaborations demonstrated that they were prepared to compete on the same level with the best.
New Zealand bowler Sophie Devine was the only bowler to find her rhythm, and she ended with 3 for 54, and the rest of the attack appeared flat. The scene was all prepared for a thrilling chase that everybody was anticipating.
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Then came the heartbreak. It grew dark, and the rain fell, and all that wait was gone in a few minutes. The match was called off after New Zealand did not play a single delivery. It was a difficult experience to both teams and to Sri Lanka who had performed their best in the tournament so far. Finally, there was no other option but to share one point each, and it felt more of a missed opportunity than a reward.
Rain has the final say in Colombo in #NZvSL ☔#CWC25 | 📝: https://t.co/mtSUxUaOeR pic.twitter.com/nN2PJ6vfdP
— ICC (@ICC) October 14, 2025
This outcome altered the points table as well. New Zealand has three points and is just out of the top four, but has not lost hope of reaching the semi-finals. Sri Lanka has not won any match, but both their points were as a result of the match that was called off. They have now to win all the remaining games to remain in the knockouts race.
The washout was disappointing but so is the sport. There are cases when no matter how much a team works, weather determines the outcome. The players of Sri Lanka did all that right but the rain wiped out all their efforts. Both teams will have to re-form soon as the Women’s World Cup 2025 continues. All their matches will now be vital and following this defeat they are aware that even sky can become their biggest enemy.
Amit Mishra’s Take
Watching Sri Lanka play with such confidence was inspiring. The control of Chamari Athapaththu, and the fireworks of Nilakshika de Silva, gave it the sense of a turning point in this match of the Women’s World Cup 2025. It was an electric energy, and then the rain shortened its duration, and the players and fans were heartbroken. It served as a lesson that effort does not necessarily pay off in cricket.
Nevertheless, this outcome can inspire both teams. New Zealand should work on being consistent, and Sri Lanka should struggle to win each game in the future. Whether it rains or shines, it will be a matter of endurance who will survive the longest in this tournament.
The SL v NZ match might have been cut short but the lessons left behind therein will influence what is to come.
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