When rain disrupted the sport within the fifth over, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu initially refused to go away the sphere and stood her floor.
Whereas the Pakistan openers and her personal team-mates hurried off for canopy, Athapaththu lingered close to the pitch hoping for the skies to clear, earlier than being compelled to withdraw because the rain intensified.
Athapaththu turns 36 in February and might need performed the ultimate World Cup recreation of her profession.
For a participant who has carried Sri Lanka’s hopes on the world stage for greater than a decade, it was a merciless ending.
“I attempted to manage what I can,” she mentioned after the sport.
“I’m 35 years previous now and have performed a few World Cups. I’m nonetheless trying ahead to taking part in some extra cricket.”
This World Cup performed through the wet season in Sri Lanka has denied many gamers, after years dreaming of such a stage, the prospect to script defining chapters of their careers.
Simply ask New Zealand captain Sophie Devine, who fought again tears throughout a information convention after her aspect have been eradicated by India.
Devine, 35, will retire from ODI cricket after New Zealand’s last group recreation in opposition to England on Sunday.
Rain was the White Ferns’ greatest villain within the match after their matches in opposition to Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Colombo have been deserted, which left them needing wins in opposition to India and England to maintain semi-final hopes alive. Thursday’s defeat by India dominated out that prospect.
When the world champions are topped on 2 November, many will really feel that it wasn’t simply the bat and ball however the skies that formed this match.
