New Zealand vs Pakistan Highlights, Women's World Cup 2025: Rain plays spoilsport; New Zealand-Pakistan match abandoned without result

Rosemary Mair to Muneeba Ali, Yorker now, on middle. Muneeba Ali does well to dig it toward the off side. 

Rosemary Mair to Muneeba Ali, Much better from Rosemary Mair! She bowls it on a good length, on off, with some inswing. Muneeba Ali gets behind the line of the delivery and blocks it down. 

Rosemary Mair to Muneeba Ali, FOUR! Pakistan and Ali are underway straight away! Rosemary Mair scoots from over the wicket and strays on the pads, shaping it a bit inward. Muneeba tickles it away toward the far left of the deep fine leg fielder for the first boundary of the inning. 

We are all set to get going. Sophie Devine and Co. are in a huddle near the ropes before taking their positions on the field. It will be Omaima Sohail and Muneeba Ali to open the innings for Pakistan. Rosemary Mair will start the attack for the White Ferns. Mair to Muneeba with a slip in place. Here we go!

It is an overcast afternoon in Colombo, but nothing threatening at the moment, and hopefully, the rain stays away. We are all set for the national anthems. It will be Pakistan's national anthem first, followed by that of New Zealand.

PITCH REPORT - Alan Wilkins is near the deck. He informs that it is a warm day with humidity on the higher side. Mentions that the square boundaries measure 60 metres to one side and 57 metres to the other, with the straight hit being 70 metres. Alan expects the pacers to have a major say on this track. Aaron Finch joins him and observes that the track is dry and hard, and the grass covering is not consistent. Mentions that here in Colombo, batters have found it difficult to get going against the new ball. Reckons that standing outside the crease will give the batters a better chance at negating the movement through the air and off the deck.

The captain of Pakistan, Fatima Sana reckons that anything above 250 will be a good target and she hopes that they can score something around that mark. States that the weather is in no one's hands and hopes to put the disappointment of the last game behind them. Adds that they have the belief in themselves to beat New Zealand. Shares that she is happy with the way they have bowled in this competition and hopes to do better with the bat. Informs that they are unchanged for this game.

The captain of New Zealand, Sophie Devine believes that with the weather around and the possibility of DLS coming into play, they feel bowling first is the correct option. Shares that they need to focus on the basics and stick to their processes. She adds that she has full trust in the two opening batters. Informs that they have made one change with Lea Tahuhu coming in for Bree Illing.

Pakistan Women (Unchanged Playing XI) - Muneeba Ali, Omaima Sohail, Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Fatima Sana (C), Sidra Nawaz (WK), Rameen Shamim, Diana Baig, Nashra Sundhu, Sadia Iqbal.

New Zealand Women (Playing XI) - Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (C), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Izzy Gaze (WK), Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu (In for Bree Illing), Eden Carson. 

TOSS - New Zealand have won the coin flip and they will BOWL first.