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COLOMBO: Drama unfolded in the high-stakes ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 clash between India and Pakistan as opening batter Muneeba Ali was run out in a bizarre fashion here on Sunday at the R. Premadas Stadium.
The incident happened during the last ball of the fourth over when a direct hit from the field struck the stumps.
This came after an LBW shout; Muneeba Ali had grounded her bat well before it, though, and initially it was given not out on the screen.
However, the third umpire rechecked and saw the bat in the air, with nothing else behind the line, and confirmed on the big screen, giving it as out.
Meanwhile, Muneeba was told to stay on the field of play by captain Fatima Sana while she had a chat with the fourth umpire on the boundary line.
As per the ICC regulations, a batter is declared Run Out if, at any time while the ball is in play, they are out of the crease and the wicket is fairly broken by a fielder, regardless of whether a run was being attempted.
MCC law 30 further clarifies that once a batter has made their ground but loses contact due to forward momentum, he or she cannot be given out — unless the bat or body was never grounded behind the crease at the moment the wicket was broken.
The controversy added fuel to an already tense encounter, in which India’s Harmanpreet Kaur and Fatima Sana avoided a handshake, mirroring a similar incident that happened in the recently held men’s Asia Cup 2025.
At the time of filing this story, Pakistan were stuggling at 34-3 in 15.3 overs in pursuit of India’s 248.
Sidra Amin scored 12* off 37 balls, whereas Natalia Pervaiz remained unbeaten on five from 14 balls.
READ: Women’s World Cup: No handshakes as Pakistan win toss, field first against India
