Pakistan, England match abandoned after 41 balls due to torrential rain

TAUNTON (Agencies): An incessant afternoon of rain at Taunton meant that just 41 balls were possible in the second Women’s ODI between England and Pakistan on Sunday. The contest was officially called off after a final check from the umpires at 3pm, after more than three hours of delayed inspections. In the time that was possible, Pakistan ––– who named an unchanged team and opted to bat first after winning the toss ––– progressed to 29 for 0, with Sadaf Shamas unbeaten on 18 from 28 balls, and Sidra Ameen on 7 from 13. Both players had a let-off in the short time that was possible. Ameen was dropped on 1 by Sophie Ecclestone at first slip, as Lauren Filer ––– back in the side in place of Lauren Bell ––– found the edge with a quick delivery in her second over, before Shamas survived a tough chance to Danni Wyatt at point on 12, again off Filer. Wyatt, who missed the first ODI through illness, was the only other change to the side that won that match by 37 runs, as she returned to the middle-order in place of the legspinner Sarah Glenn. Sophia Dunkley, who was left out of both England’s T20I and ODI squads for Pakistan’s visit amid a lean run of form with the bat, was called up to the squad ahead of this second match after scoring a century, a fifty and an unbeaten 48 for South East Stars in the 50-over Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. She was named at No. 12 for Sunday’s match in Taunton, but could compete for a berth for what will now be a series decider, in Chelmsford on Wednesday.

Squads:

Pakistan: Sidra Ameen, Sadaf Shamas, Muneeba Ali, Ayesha Zafar, Nida Dar (capt), Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, Najiha Alvi (wk), Umm-e-Hani, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu.

England: Maia Bouchier, Tammy Beaumont, Heather Knight (capt), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Alice Capsey, Danni Wyatt, Amy Jones (wk), Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Kate Cross, Lauren Filer.