In Sri Lanka, the month of October marks the end of Vassa, the three-month rain retreat observed by Buddhist monks.
It's followed by the Kathina Cheewara Puja, when devotees across the island offer new robes and alms to the monastic community -- a gesture believed to bring blessings and merit. The country moves in rhythm with the retreating monsoon.
This year, the seasonal showers again took command, but this time over a different kind of gathering. As Colombo co-hosted the Women's ODI World Cup 2025, the same downpours that shape the spiritual calendar washed out three matches -- the second-most in the tournament's history.
With one final fixture still to play in the capital, this edition could yet equal the unwanted record set in South Africa two decades ago, when four matches were abandoned.
"During the last week of the festival, the rains usually intensify, and it's considered auspicious. We hold pujas at home or in temples to offer gratitude for these showers. But it's unfortunate the World Cup was affected, especially for our home team," a local said while leaving a Buddhist temple.
Ruling the day
The 2005 World Cup saw all eight teams suffer two no-results each, an outcome that, one might say, levelled the playing field. But the same cannot be said this year, with three teams -- Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand -- having two games each washed away, and two others, Australia and England, losing one apiece.
Bangladesh and host India managed to see out their solitary games at the R. Premadasa Stadium. South Africa, however, had fortune firmly on its side, walking away with all four points available.
For Sri Lanka, which had hoped to capitalise on familiar conditions and home support, the campaign has turned into a frustrating waiting game -- driven less by on-field fervour and more by forecasts.
If there was any group that saw more action than the players, it was the groundstaff. Hovering around the field, they dashed in and out constantly, wrestling with the stubborn covers as the skies turned unpredictable.
Their tireless work, done with quiet dedication, even drew appreciation from the South African players, who were seen thanking them after their second win, made possible by the crew's persistence.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by ICC (@icc)
Frustrating times
For those denied by the heavens, the responses were much the same: "There are lots of things you can't control, and the weather is one of them." "It's unfortunate." "The rains had the final say."
But New Zealand captain Sophie Devine was more forthright. Her team had arrived in Colombo with momentum -- a win after two early losses -- but never got the chance to wield a bat.
"It's extremely frustrating. You wait four years for a World Cup, and to have to suffer through the rain. I hope that in future editions, they will think of playing earlier in the day," said a blunt Devine.
"We have seen the rain come in the evening, so play at 10 or 11 AM. For the game to be scuppered is a real shame for me," the skipper said, whose team split points with Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
A game of interruptions
Her point rang true, though even the noon skies were unpredictable during New Zealand's games. Sri Lanka had managed its full 50 overs before the persistent drizzle arrived and refused to leave. Against Pakistan, only 12 overs were completed before the first bout halted play, and another spell at the 25-over mark ended it for good.
New Zealand was left frustrated after two of its matches came to an abrupt end. | Photo Credit: AFP
New Zealand was left frustrated after two of its matches came to an abrupt end. | Photo Credit: AFP
The Fatima Sana-led Pakistan may have escaped that encounter, but it met the opposite fate earlier. Against England, the team had the upper hand, reducing the heavyweight to 133 in a shortened 31-over game. Its openers began aggressively, racing against the clouds, but the weather won that race too.
"Obviously, it's a regret because England is the number two or three team in the world. And we almost beat them if the match had happened. We can't do anything because it's not in our hands, so it's unfortunate," said Sidra Nawaz, Pakistan's wicketkeeper-batter, after its campaign-ending loss to South Africa.
What will hurt most is the timing - the monsoon is expected to ease this Saturday, a day after Colombo hosts its final match of the tournament.
Roughly 287 overs have already been lost to the downpours, a staggering number that reflects how much the tournament has been disrupted. For the players, though, it has meant waiting, frustration, and lost opportunities, but they move on with the quiet hope that next time, nature will be kinder.
Published on Oct 23, 2025
Latest on Sportstar Live Blog 2025-10-23T12:36:19+05:30IND-W vs NZ-W Live Score, Women's World Cup 2025: Will Jemimah return on home turf? Playing XI news, weather updatesLavanya Lakshmi Narayanan,Rajdeep SahaTilak Varma: "My target is to guide the team home, even when the asking rate is 12 an over"V. V. Subrahmanyam Live Blog 2025-10-23T12:36:31+05:30BAN vs WI, 3rd ODI LIVE Score: Sarkar, Saif open for Bangladesh against West IndiesTeam SportstarREAD MORE STORIES