Rain ends Sri Lanka v Pakistan dead rubber in Colombo

Only 4.2 overs were bowled in the final group game hosted in Colombo

ICC Women's World Cup, Colombo

Pakistan 18-0 (4.2overs): Omaima 9* (9) Muneeba 7* (17)

Sri Lanka: Did not bat

Match abandoned

Scorecard; Table

Sri Lanka's final group match at the Women's World Cup against Pakistan was abandoned after 4.2 overs as rain again disrupted proceedings in Colombo.

It sparked a fresh call for the International Cricket Council (ICC) to take greater heed of likely weather conditions when arranging showpiece events, as another chance to put the women's game in the spotlight was washed away.

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana said the ICC "must arrange good venues" where play can proceed.

Her team had reached 18 without loss when the players were forced off the field in a game that had already been reduced to 34 overs per side.

This was a familiar story in the Sri Lankan capital, where persistent downpours have wreaked havoc during the World Cup with five games ending in no-result outcomes.

The match was a dead rubber as India secured the last place in the semi-finals with a win over New Zealand on Thursday, eliminating both Sri Lanka and the beaten White Ferns, while Pakistan were already certain to be out.

Even so, players from both sides were looking to produce a contest fitting of a World Cup.

Seven of the 11 matches staged in Colombo were affected by rain, with former England spinner Alex Hartley saying earlier in the tournament that the conditions had "ruined" the World Cup.

October marks the height of the monsoon season on the island, with up to 370mm of rainfall typically expected in the month.

Five of Sri Lanka's group games were held at the R Premadasa Stadium, the scene for Friday's latest disappointment.

Pakistan played all their fixtures at the venue because of their nation's political situation with neighbours India, who are hosting the majority of the tournament.

Sri Lanka finished the World Cup with one win from seven games while Pakistan wrapped up their campaign without a victory.

Rain steals spotlight at World Cup again

Chamari Athapaththu made her ODI debut for Sri Lanka in 2010

When rain disrupted the game in the fifth over, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu initially refused to leave the field and stood her ground.

While the Pakistan openers and her own team-mates hurried off for cover, Athapaththu lingered near the pitch hoping for the skies to clear, before being forced to withdraw as the rain intensified.

Athapaththu turns 36 in February and might have played the final World Cup game of her career.

For a player who has carried Sri Lanka's hopes on the world stage for more than a decade, it was a cruel ending.

"I tried to control what I can," she said after the game.

"I am 35 years old now and have played a couple of World Cups. I am still looking forward to playing some more cricket."

This World Cup played during the rainy season in Sri Lanka has denied many players, after years dreaming of such a stage, the chance to script defining chapters in their careers.

Just ask New Zealand captain Sophie Devine, who fought back tears during a news conference after her side were eliminated by India.

Devine, 35, will retire from ODI cricket after New Zealand's final group game against England on Sunday.

Rain was the White Ferns' biggest villain in the tournament after their matches against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Colombo were abandoned, which left them needing wins against India and England to keep semi-final hopes alive. Thursday's defeat by India ruled out that prospect.

When the world champions are crowned on 2 November, many will feel that it wasn't just the bat and ball but the skies that shaped this tournament.

'ICC must arrange good venues' - what they said

Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu: "The expectation was high for us coming into this World Cup, but we lost the games against India and England at the start. We have made mistakes but we will focus on what we can do in the future.

"We have good young players and seniors. Seniors always talk to the youngsters. As a captain, I am trying to give freedom to them to play positive cricket.

"I think we are close to the top four teams. We are playing a lot of cricket in Sri Lanka now and hopefully we can be a better team in the future."

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana: "We were very good in bowling and fielding but we lacked in batting. In a couple of matches, we were up to the mark and close against Australia and England. But we couldn't cross the line.

"As a young captain, those games gave me a lot of boost. The weather didn't go in our favour against England and in the last two games.

"The ICC must arrange good venues for the World Cup because we have been waiting for this for four years."