Team India Secures Victory Against Pakistan Amid Dispute, Uncertainty - plus Bug Invasion
The Pakistani team Shows Dissatisfaction When Match Official Debatably Reverses Dismissal Decision
World Cup Tournament, Sri Lankan Capital
India 247 (Complete innings): Deol 46 (65 deliveries); Baig 4-69
Team Pakistan 159 runs (Forty-three overs): Amin 81 (106 deliveries); Goud's 3 wickets for 20
Team India secured victory by 88 runs
Team India preserved their flawless opening in the World Cup tournament via a comprehensive 88-run win against arch-rivals Pakistan at Colombo.
Deol registered the highest score making 46 runs as Richa Ghosh hammered 35 not out off 20 deliveries in the closing stages to boost India's total to 247 in an innings that featured several hitters get going without converting.
Bowler Diana Baig secured 4/69 as the Pakistani attack bowled out the Indian team for the first time in a women's ODI from the last ball of their knock yet an initial triumph still eludes them.
Following a slide to 26/3 in the run chase, The Pakistani side temporarily recovered with Sidra Amin - who went on to make 81 from 105 balls following being given reprieves thrice - along with Natalia Pervaiz compiled 69 during their fourth-wicket stand.
But India, led by Kranti Goud's 3/20, persisted with their plan to bowl out the Pakistani team for 159 by the 43rd over and climb to the top of the tournament table.
As typically happens when these rivals face each other, nevertheless, there was far more to it, with controversy and confusion peppered throughout the day...
Dismissal Controversy
Perhaps the biggest discussion point emerged from a occurrence in the beginning of the Pakistani batting when opener Muneeba was debatably dismissed via run out.
The left-hander received impact on the protective padding by Goud and as the Indian bowler appealed unsuccessfully for leg before wicket, Deepti Sharma picked up the free ball and aimed at the wickets.
She connected but replays showed Muneeba had placed her bat before the ball entered the frame and a 'safe' verdict from the match official the umpire was displayed on the large screen in the ground.
Nevertheless, ahead of the match continuing, the verdict was re-examined and it became apparent that while the ball hit the stumps and dislodged the bails, the batter had elevated the bat and was positioned out of her crease.
Although the player had earlier embedded her equipment and didn't endeavor to steal a run, the TV official altered her ruling to 'dismissed' and despite Pakistan protests, which involved captain Fatima Sana direct her hitter not to leave the ground briefly, Muneeba had to go.
With an additional complication, if India had merely challenged the LBW appeal, the whole controversy might have been averted because ball-tracking showed the batter was undoubtedly leg before.
What do the laws of the game say?
30.1 Concerning leaving the crease
Section 30.1.1 A hitter shall be regarded as having left their crease if no part of his/her person or bat is placed behind the line at that side.
Rule 30.1.2 However, a batter shall not be considered as out of their ground when, during running or diving towards his/her ground and past, and after placing an element of the player or equipment over the line, there occurs subsequent loss of contact between the surface and any portion of his/her person or bat, or between willow and batter.
'Tails... heads is the call'
Confusion as Pakistan wrongly given coin toss versus India
It should have been apparent that matters would not prove simple in this match right from the toss.
Within an environment of governmental disputes involving both countries, that leaders Sana and Kaur avoided handshakes was expected - especially given the established pattern in previous encounters between the men's sides.
Nonetheless, no-one could have predicted that Sana would call mistakenly but secure the toss.
The team leader announced "tails" while Harmanpreet tossed the coin but match referee Shandre Fritz misheard and announced "heads is the call".
Broadcaster and former Australia batter Mel Jones was conducting the toss and repeated the official's announcement, the coin landed on heads and there was declaration that Pakistan had won the toss.
Neither captain questioned it therefore the captain managed to step forward and confirm that the Pakistani side would chase.
A harmless blunder and considering India's victory in any case, no damage caused.
Insects halt match
'Who you gonna call?' - 'Bugbuster' arrives as bugs interrupt match
In between {the toss confusion|the coin flip confusion|the toss
