India Triumphs Against Rival Pakistan Amid Debate, Bewilderment - plus Flying Pest Problem
The Pakistani team Voices Unhappiness As Match Official Questionably Changes Run-out Ruling
Women's Cricket World Cup, Colombo
Indian Total 247 (50 overs): Harleen Deol 46 (65-ball innings); Diana Baig 4-69
Pakistan 159 (43-over innings): Amin's 81 runs (106 deliveries); Goud 3-20
India won by 88-run margin
The Indian side continued their flawless opening to the Women's World Cup via a comprehensive 88-run win against arch-rivals Pakistan in Sri Lanka.
Harleen Deol top-scored scoring 46 as Richa Ghosh hammered 35 not out off 20 deliveries towards the end to propel the Indian score reaching 247 in an innings which witnessed numerous batters make starts without converting.
Pacer Diana Baig claimed 4/69 as Pakistan bowled the Indian team for the first time during women's limited overs match off the final delivery of the innings but a first win remained beyond their reach.
After slipping to 26-3 during their pursuit, Pakistan momentarily fought back with Sidra Amin - who went on to make 81 in 105-ball innings following being given reprieves on three occasions - along with Natalia Pervaiz compiled 69 during their fourth-wicket stand.
But India, spearheaded by Kranti Goud's 3/20, maintained their focus to bowl out the Pakistani team scoring 159 during the 43rd over and move top in the group standings.
As typically happens when India and Pakistan meet, nevertheless, there was far more to the match, amid controversy and confusion sprinkled during the match...
Dismissal Dispute
Probably the most significant conversation topic originated from a situation during the early stages of the Pakistani batting when opener Muneeba was debatably run out.
The southpaw received impact on the leg guard by Goud and as the bowler from India appealed without success for lbw, Sharma picked up the free ball and threw at the stumps.
She connected however video evidence revealed Muneeba had placed the bat ahead of the ball entered the frame and a 'not out' decision from the third umpire Klaaste went up on the giant display in the venue.
Nevertheless, before the game restarted, the decision was looked at again and it emerged that when the ball struck the wickets and knocked off the bails, Muneeba had raised her bat and was still stood out of her crease.
Even though the hitter had previously placed her equipment and didn't endeavor to take a quick run, the match referee modified her verdict to 'dismissed' and regardless of Pakistan's complaints, that witnessed leader Fatima Sana direct her hitter to remain on the ground briefly, Muneeba was compelled to depart.
Adding another layer, if India had merely challenged the leg before ruling, the entire dispute might have been averted because ball-tracking showed Muneeba was clearly out LBW.
What do the laws of cricket state?
30.1 Regarding being out of ground
Rule 30.1.1 A hitter shall be regarded as having left their crease except when some portion of the player or equipment is positioned behind the batting crease at that side.
Section 30.1.2 However, a player shall not be deemed as out of their ground if, in running or diving towards his/her ground and further, and after placing some part of his/her person or bat beyond the popping crease, there is subsequent loss of connection between the ground and any part of the player or equipment, or between willow and batter.
'Tails... heads is the call'
Uncertainty when Pakistan wrongly given flip against India
It ought to have been obvious that events would not become uncomplicated in this contest right from the toss.
Against a backdrop of governmental disputes involving both countries, that captains Sana and Harmanpreet Kaur avoided handshakes came as no surprise - notably because of the established pattern in recent games between the men's sides.
However, nobody could have foreseen that the captain would declare mistakenly but win the toss.
The team leader shouted "tails" as Harmanpreet flicked the coin but match referee the referee misheard and stated "heads chosen".
Presenter and former cricketer Mel Jones was overseeing the flip and echoed the referee's statement, the coin fell heads up and the announcement came that the Pakistani side gained the toss.
Neither leader disputed it therefore the captain managed to advance and verify that Pakistan would field first.
A harmless blunder and considering India's victory anyway, no harm done.
Insects halt match
'Who you gonna call?' - 'Bugbuster' arrives as flies stop play
Amidst {the toss confusion|the coin flip confusion|the toss
