The Pakistan and England women’s cricket teams paused for a heartfelt moment of silence before their ICC Women’s World Cup match on Wednesday, honoring the late father of Pakistan all-rounder Shawaal Zulfiqar. Zulfiqar Ahmad passed away in Sialkot on Tuesday, casting a somber note over the 16th match of the tournament at R. Premadasa Stadium. The gesture, shared by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on social media, resonated widely, with fans praising the teams’ solidarity in supporting Shawaal during her personal loss. This act of unity highlighted the sport’s ability to foster empathy amid fierce competition.
Pakistan, led by captain Fatima Sana, won the toss and opted to field, aiming to leverage a spin-friendly pitch. The team made two changes, replacing Sadaf Shamas and Eyman Fatima with Aliya Riaz and Omaima Sohail to strengthen their all-round capabilities. England, unbeaten with three wins, adjusted their bowling lineup due to illness, substituting Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Bell with Sarah Glenn and Emily Arlott. Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt noted the opportunity for squad depth, saying, “It’s a chance for Sarah and Em to make an impact.” England’s lineup, featuring stalwarts like Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont, aimed to maintain their dominance, while Pakistan, still winless, sought a breakthrough.
Fatima Sana emphasized the need for improved batting partnerships and sharper finishing, reflecting on a recent match where they failed to close out an opposition at 76 for 7. “The pitch offers spin, and our spinners are strong, but we need to bat longer,” she said. England’s Sciver-Brunt, a standout performer with 180 runs in the tournament, stressed adaptability: “I start each innings afresh, assessing conditions to keep contributing.” The match, critical for Pakistan’s campaign, saw their XI include key players like Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sandhu, and Sadia Iqbal, while England fielded Amy Jones, Alice Capsey, and Charlie Dean.
As the game unfolded, Pakistan's spinners dominated, reducing England to 79/7 after 25 overs (current run rate: 3.16) before heavy rain interrupted play, with covers on and overs potentially reduced. Sadia Iqbal claimed 2/16, while England struggled against spin, losing early wickets including Capsey lbw. The moment of silence, observed under Colombo’s overcast skies, underscored cricket’s deeper values, uniting players and fans in shared grief. Social media posts, including the ICC’s viral clip, amplified the tribute, with comments like “Class act by both teams” trending alongside #CWC25. As the game paused, Shawaal’s resilience and the teams’ gesture served as a reminder of the human spirit in sport, setting a poignant tone for a high-stakes encounter in a tournament watched by millions globally.