South Africa defeated Pakistan by 150 runs (DLS method) in match number 22 of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Tuesday, October 21. In another rain-soaked match, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl.
Fatima Sana’s decision to field first backfired as the Proteas made 312-9 in 40 overs. Skipper Laura Wolvaardt was the top scorer with 90 from 82 balls, while Sune Luus contributed 61 from 59 and Marizanne Kapp (68* from 43). Nadine de Klerk also hit 41 off 16 balls. Pakistan were set a revised DLS target of 234 in 20 overs. They were held to 83-7 while Kapp played 3-20.
Pakistan’s defeat on Tuesday means they are officially eliminated from the 2025 Women’s World Cup. Australia, South Africa and England have already qualified for the next round. On that note, we take a look at what India, New Zealand and Sri Lanka need to do to clinch the final semi-final berth of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.
India (4 points, NRR +0.526)
Hosts India are currently fourth in the points table, with four points and a net run rate of +0.526. They have suffered three consecutive defeats, but are still in contention for a place in the semi-finals of the 2025 Women’s World Cup.
India’s next match is against New Zealand in Navi Mumbai on Thursday, October 23. If they win the match, they will be confirmed for their place in the semi-finals. A victory would take them to six points. Even if they lose to Bangladesh and the Kiwis beat England to reach six points, India will progress on the basis of more wins.
If the Women in Blue lose to New Zealand, they will need England to beat the Kiwis. India can then advance to the semi-finals by beating Bangladesh in their final league match. If India’s match against New Zealand fails and India also loses to Bangladesh, they will need England to beat the Kiwis. In such a scenario too, India can qualify for the semi-finals if Sri Lanka does not finish with six points.
If India’s remaining two matches for the 2025 Women’s World Cup are canceled due to rain, they can still qualify for the semi-finals if England beat New Zealand or the England-New Zealand match is also called off. Even though India and Sri Lanka are tied on six points, India will progress on the back of a better net run rate.
New Zealand (4 points, NRR -0.245)
New Zealand have been very unlucky in the 2025 Women’s World Cup when it comes to the weather factor. They played five matches, winning one and losing two, while their last two matches were canceled due to rain. After five matches, the Kiwis have four points and a net run rate of -0.245.
New Zealand must beat India to stay in the semi-final race. A defeat on Thursday would end their hopes of qualifying as the Women in Blue will claim the final spot in the top four. On the other hand, if the Kiwis win their two remaining matches at the 2025 Women’s World Cup, they will be confirmed a place in the semi-finals.
In case New Zealand beats India but surrenders to England, then they would need Bangladesh to win against India. In such a scenario, India would be stuck with four points, while New Zealand would end up with six. Sri Lanka can also finish with six points if they beat Pakistan. In such a scenario, the team with the best net run rate will advance to the semi-finals of the 2025 Women’s World Cup.
New Zealand can also reach the semi-finals if they beat India and their match against England is canceled. In such a scenario, they will finish with seven points, while India will finish with six even if they beat Bangladesh.
If the India-New Zealand match fails, the Kiwis will have to beat England and then hope that Bangladesh beat India. If New Zealand’s remaining two matches are eliminated, they will only be able to finish in the top four if India and Sri Lanka finish the league stage with less than six points.
Sri Lanka (4 points, NRR -1.035)
Despite winning just one of their six matches, co-hosts Sri Lanka still have a slim chance of qualifying for the semi-finals of the 2025 Women’s World Cup. For Sri Lanka to qualify, they need to beat Pakistan by a wide margin in their final league match and also hope that India lose their remaining two matches. That’s not all, they will also need England to beat New Zealand.
In the above scenario, India would be stuck with four points, while Sri Lanka and New Zealand would finish with six points each. Sri Lanka can then progress to the semi-finals provided they finish with a better net run rate than New Zealand. Currently, Sri Lanka’s net rate is -1.035, while New Zealand’s is -0.245.
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Edited by Renin Wilben Albert
