Rain in the horizon again as SA seek fifth straight win

South Africa and Pakistan, after contrasting journeys in the ICC Women's World Cup 2025, face off in Colombo in the 22nd match of the tournament. South Africa have looked assured and composed for most of the campaign, sitting comfortably in third place with four wins from five games and having already sealed a semifinal berth. Pakistan, meanwhile, have been left frustrated by the rain gods and their own inconsistency, finding themselves at the bottom of the table with no wins in five outings and just two points from a couple of washouts - now staring at the prospect of an early exit.

For South Africa, the tournament has underlined both their experience and adaptability. Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits have provided steady starts at the top, while Marizanne Kapp and Chloe Tryon have played vital roles in stabilising and accelerating through the middle overs. Nadine de Klerk's composed finishing touches have also proved decisive in tight contests. In helpful conditions, Nonkululeko Mlaba has led the bowling unit admirably, supported by the all-round depth of Tryon and de Klerk. If there's a minor concern, it's the occasional collapse under pressure - a flaw they'll want to iron out before the knockouts.

Pakistan's campaign, in contrast, has been one of unfulfilled promises. Their bowlers - led by Fatima Sana, Nashra Sandhu, and Sadia Iqbal - have repeatedly put the team in commanding positions, troubling both Australia and England with incisive spells. Yet rain and fragile batting have undone their efforts. They allowed Australia to recover after reducing them to 115/8, had England on the ropes before the match was washed out, and were denied another result against New Zealand. With elimination looming, Pakistan will once again bank on their disciplined bowling to give them a foothold, but their batting must deliver if they are to keep themselves afloat.

When: Tuesday, October 21 at 3:00 PM Local Time

Where: R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

What to expect: As many as four matches have yielded no result due to rain in Colombo, including three of the last four games, with South Africa's win against Sri Lanka also coming in a rain-affected, curtailed encounter. And wet weather is forecast for the South Africa - Pakistan match too.

Head to head: South Africa lead 23 to 6 against Pakistan, with one tie and one no result. Pakistan, however, would like to take confidence from their recent 2-1 ODI series win against South Africa in Lahore, preceding this World Cup.

Team news:

South Africa: Sune Luus and Nondumiso Shangase, off-spinning allrounders, were included for the game against Sri Lanka considering a left-heavy Sri Lankan top order. However, with Pakistan predominantly having right-handers, Anneke Bosch and Tumi Sekhukhune might return.

Probable XI: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Annerie Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp, Karabo Meso (wk), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Tumi Sekhukhune, Masabata Klaas, Nonkululeko Mlaba

Pakistan: Sana's side were unchanged in the previous game and might persist with the same eleven.

Probable XI: Muneeba Ali, Omaima Sohail, Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Fatima Sana (c), Sidra Nawaz (wk), Rameen Shamim, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal

What they said:

"After that game we just kind of said to ourselves that we know we're a lot better than that and just wanted to forget about it as quickly as we could. I think in these tournaments, you have to have a short memory with things like that. You have to take your learnings, maybe think about what you could have done better the next couple of days, but then totally switch off from it and focus on the next game, which I think we've done really well this competition so far" - Laura Wolvaardt, on South Africa's comeback after being bowled out for 69 by England in their first game.