The Indian Women's Team Secures Victory Over Rival Pakistan During Controversy, Uncertainty - and Flying Pest Problem
The Pakistani team Shows Dissatisfaction When Third Umpire Debatably Reverses Dismissal Ruling
ICC Women's World Cup, Sri Lankan Capital
Indian Total 247 (50 overs): Deol 46 (65 balls); Baig 4-69
Team Pakistan 159 runs (Forty-three overs): Sidra Amin 81 (106-ball knock); Goud's 3 wickets for 20
India won by 88 runs
India maintained their perfect beginning in the World Cup tournament via a comprehensive 88-run win against arch-rivals Pakistan in Colombo.
Harleen Deol was the highest scorer scoring 46 as Richa Ghosh hammered 35 not out off 20 deliveries in the closing stages to lift India up to 247 runs during their batting effort which witnessed several hitters make starts but not continuing.
Bowler Diana Baig secured four wickets for 69 as Pakistan bowled India out initially in a women's ODI with the ultimate ball of the batting effort but a first win still eludes them.
Post dropping to twenty-six for three in the chase, The Pakistani side temporarily recovered through Sidra Amin - who proceeded to score 81 in 105-ball innings after being dropped thrice - and Natalia Pervaiz together added 69 runs during their fourth-wicket stand.
But India, spearheaded by Kranti Goud's 3-20, maintained their focus to bowl out the Pakistani team for 159 in the 43rd over and climb to the top of the tournament table.
As is so often the case when these rivals face each other, however, there existed much more to the contest, with controversy and confusion scattered across the encounter...
Run-out Debate
Probably the most significant conversation topic originated from a situation in the beginning of Pakistan's innings when opener Ali was debatably run out.
The southpaw got hit on the protective padding off Goud's delivery while the bowler from India appealed without success for leg before wicket, Deepti Sharma gathered the stray ball and aimed at the wickets.
She connected yet footage demonstrated the batter had embedded her bat prior to the ball entered the frame and an 'not out' ruling from the third umpire the umpire was displayed on the big screen in the ground.
Nevertheless, before the game restarted, the decision was looked at again and it emerged that while the ball made contact with the stumps and knocked off the bails, Muneeba had raised her bat and was positioned outside her crease.
While the batter had already grounded her equipment and was not trying to take a quick run, the match referee modified her verdict to 'out' and despite Pakistan protests, which saw leader Fatima Sana instruct her player to remain on the ground briefly, Muneeba had to go.
Adding another layer, should India have referred the leg before ruling, the entire dispute could have been prevented as ball-tracking revealed the batter was undoubtedly leg before.
What do the regulations of cricket state?
30.1 Concerning leaving the crease
Section 30.1.1 A batter shall be considered as having left their crease unless some part of their body or bat is placed behind the popping crease at that end.
Rule 30.1.2 Nonetheless, a player shall not be deemed to be out of his/her ground when, during running or diving towards his/her ground and further, and having grounded an element of his/her person or bat past the batting crease, there occurs subsequent loss of connection between the field and any element of their body or bat, or between willow and batter.
'Tails becomes heads call'
Bewilderment as Pakistan incorrectly awarded toss against India
It should have been apparent that matters would not prove simple in this match starting with the coin flip.
Amid a context of diplomatic strains involving both countries, that leaders Sana and Kaur did not shake hands was no surprise - particularly considering the established pattern in previous encounters among the men's teams.
Nonetheless, no-one could have predicted that the captain would declare mistakenly but win the toss.
The team leader called out "tails" as the Indian captain spun the coin yet umpire Fritz misunderstood and declared "heads called".
Commentator and ex-Australian player Mel Jones was overseeing the toss and reiterated Fritz's words, heads appeared and there was declaration that the Pakistani side gained the coin toss.
Neither leader disputed it so Sana was able to come forward and affirm that Pakistan would bowl first.
An innocent mistake and given India won anyway, no harm done.
Bugs stop play
'Who will you contact?' - 'Bugbuster' arrives when insects halt game
In between {the toss confusion|the coin flip confusion|the toss
