India thrash Pakistan in World Cup Match Full of Drama

India maintained their perfect start to the Women’s World Cup with a commanding 88-run win over rivals Pakistan in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Harleen Deol led the batting with 46 runs, while Richa Ghosh powered an unbeaten 35 off 20 balls late on. India reached 247 after several batters made starts without converting.

Seamer Diana Baig impressed with figures of 4-69 as Pakistan bowled India out from the final ball. It was the first time India’s women had been dismissed in a World Cup one-day match. But Pakistan’s search for a first tournament win continues.

Their chase faltered immediately as they slipped to 26-3. Opener Sidra Amin offered resistance with 81 from 105 balls, aided by three lives. Alongside Natalia Pervaiz, she put on 69 for the fourth wicket.

India stayed composed and Kranti Goud delivered with 3-20 to end Pakistan’s innings at 159 in the 43rd over. The result sent India to the top of the group standings.

The contest was gripping on the field, but controversy overshadowed the cricket.

One of the biggest talking points came early in Pakistan’s innings. Muneeba Ali was adjudged run out in confusing circumstances.

She was struck on the pad by Goud, sparking an unsuccessful lbw appeal. Deepti Sharma gathered the ball and threw down the stumps.

Replays initially showed Muneeba had grounded her bat before the bails were removed. The big screen displayed a ‘not out’ decision from third umpire Kerrin Klaaste.

Before play resumed, however, the decision was revisited. It was revealed that Muneeba had lifted her bat as the stumps were broken, leaving her out of her ground. The verdict was changed to ‘out’.

Pakistan protested, with captain Fatima Sana briefly urging her batter not to walk off. But Muneeba eventually departed.

In a further twist, had India reviewed the lbw call, replays showed Muneeba would have been dismissed anyway. It highlighted the fine margins of a fiery encounter.

The drama had begun even earlier.

At the toss, Sana called “tails” as Harmanpreet Kaur flipped the coin. Match referee Shandre Fritz misheard and declared, “heads is the call.”

Broadcaster Mel Jones repeated the referee’s words before the coin landed on heads. Pakistan were then awarded the toss. Neither captain questioned the error and Sana elected to bowl first.

With political tensions already a backdrop, the lack of a post-match handshake between the captains was no surprise.

The men’s sides have set the precedent in recent encounters.

If the run-out and toss confusion were not enough, bugs became another unwelcome feature.

Flying insects swarmed throughout India’s innings, forcing players to spray cans of repellent and wave towels mid-match.

Play ended up being halted for 15 minutes as fumigation took place.

The bizarre stoppage added to the day’s drama.

While India emerged with victory, the match will be remembered just as much for the controversies and interruptions as for the cricket itself.