The Indian Women's Team Triumphs Over Pakistan Amid Controversy, Confusion - plus Bug Infestation
The Pakistani team Shows Dissatisfaction As Match Official Questionably Alters Run-out Decision
World Cup Tournament, Sri Lankan Capital
Team India 247 runs (50 overs): Deol 46 (65 balls); Diana Baig 4-69
Pakistani Total 159 (43 overs): Amin's 81 runs (106-ball knock); Kranti Goud 3-20
India won by 88-run margin
India maintained their 100% start during the championship through a convincing eighty-eight run triumph versus traditional opponents Pakistan in Sri Lanka.
Harleen Deol top-scored with 46 while Richa Ghosh blasted 35 not out in 20-ball innings in the closing stages to propel the Indian score reaching 247 throughout their knock which witnessed multiple players begin well but not continuing.
Pacer Diana Baig claimed four wickets for 69 as the Pakistani attack bowled out the Indian team for the first time in a women's ODI with the ultimate ball of the innings yet an initial triumph still eludes them.
After slipping to 26/3 in the chase, The Pakistani side temporarily recovered as Sidra Amin - who eventually compiled 81 in 105-ball innings after receiving chances on three occasions - along with Natalia Pervaiz put on 69 for the fourth partnership.
But India, led by Kranti Goud's 3/20, maintained their focus to bowl out the Pakistani team for 159 during the 43rd over and climb to the top of the group table.
As commonly occurs during India-Pakistan encounters, though, there was far more to the match, with controversy and confusion peppered throughout the match...
Running Out Debate
Possibly the major conversation topic originated from a situation early in Pakistan's knock as opening batter Ali was debatably given out running.
The left-handed batter got hit on the pad off Goud's delivery when the Indian bowler appealed without success for leg before wicket, Sharma gathered the stray ball and launched at the bails.
She hit yet footage demonstrated Muneeba had placed her bat prior to the ball came into view and a 'not out' decision by the TV umpire Kerrin Klaaste appeared on the big screen in the venue.
However, ahead of the match continuing, the verdict was re-examined and it transpired that when the ball hit the stumps and dislodged the bails, Muneeba had raised the bat and was positioned out of her crease.
While the batter had earlier embedded her equipment and wasn't attempting to take a quick run, the TV official modified her verdict to 'given out' and notwithstanding Pakistani objections, which saw leader Fatima Sana direct her hitter to stay at the ground temporarily, Muneeba was compelled to depart.
Adding another layer, should India have referred the lbw decision, the entire dispute would have been avoided as ball-tracking revealed Muneeba was clearly out LBW.
What do the rules of the sport indicate?
30.1 Regarding being out of ground
Section 30.1.1 A batter shall be considered to be out of his/her ground except when some portion of the player or equipment is positioned behind the line at that side.
30.1.2 However, a batter shall not be considered as having left their crease when, during running or diving toward their ground and beyond, and having grounded an element of the player or equipment beyond the popping crease, there occurs subsequent loss of contact between the ground and any part of his/her person or bat, or between the bat and person.
'Incorrect toss announcement'
Bewilderment as Pakistan wrongly given coin toss versus India
It should have been apparent that events would not become uncomplicated in this contest starting with the coin flip.
Against a backdrop of diplomatic strains between the two countries, that skippers Sana and Harmanpreet did not shake hands was expected - particularly considering the previous instances in recent games among the men's teams.
Nevertheless, nobody could have foreseen that Sana would announce wrongly yet gain the flip.
The Pakistani captain shouted "tails" as the Indian captain spun the currency but official the referee misheard and declared "heads called".
Broadcaster and former Australia batter Mel Jones was overseeing the flip and echoed the referee's statement, the coin fell heads up and the announcement came that Pakistan had won the coin toss.
Neither captain questioned it so Sana was able to advance and verify that Pakistan would bowl first.
A harmless blunder and considering India's victory anyway, no negative impact.
Insects halt match
'Who will you contact?' - 'Pest controller' comes as bugs interrupt match
Amidst {the toss confusion|the coin flip confusion|the toss
