IND vs PAK : India make it 12-0 over Pakistan with 88-run win
In the charged atmosphere of international cricket, clashes between India and Pakistan invariably deliver more than just sport, and their Women’s World Cup encounter in Colombo proved no exception. The match unfolded amid a series of disruptions, from the captains’ pointed avoidance of a pre-game handshake to an infestation of flying insects halting proceedings and a heated dispute over a run-out dismissal.
India secured an 88-run victory, batting first to compile 247 all out in 50 overs before bundling out Pakistan for 159 in 43 overs. This result extended India’s unblemished streak against Pakistan in ODIs to 12 successive triumphs and marked their second win in as many World Cup outings, coming on the heels of an earlier success against Sri Lanka in Guwahati, as reported by Sky Sports.
Key contributions for India included Harleen Deol’s top score of 46 off 65 balls, unbeaten 35 off 20 from Richa Ghosh, Jemimah Rodrigues’ 32 off 37, and Pratika Rawal’s 31 off 37. Pakistan’s bowlers struck back with Diana Baig claiming 4-69, Fatima Sana taking 2-38, and Sadia Iqbal securing 2-47. In reply, Sidra Ameen fought valiantly with 81 off 106 for Pakistan, supported by Natalia Pervaiz’s 33 off 46, but India’s attack prevailed through Kranti Goud’s 3-20, Deepti Sharma’s 3-45, and Sneh Rana’s 2-38. For the full scorecard, see Sky Sports’ coverage.
While no Indian batter reached fifty—leaving room for improvement in their lineup—and fielding lapses occurred, Pakistan’s defeat left them winless after two starts, following a loss to Bangladesh in Colombo.
The insect invasion added surreal interruptions during India’s innings, with swarms distracting batters and fielders alike. Initial sprays of repellent failed, prompting a fumigation effort: a worker in a gas mask deployed a “Bugbuster” device, causing a 15-minute delay. Despite the intervention, the pests persisted, visibly frustrating captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who fell for 19 off 34 after swatting at them, caught sharply by Sidra Nawaz. Rodrigues, dismissed for 32 after surviving a no-ball reprieve on two and a near run-out on 16, later remarked to Sky Sports: “You had to concentrate a lot more because you couldn’t see much with the bugs coming but you have to do what you have to do out there.” Teammate Sneh Rana even aided Deepti Sharma in extracting bugs from her clothing, as captured in Associated Press images.
Drama escalated in Pakistan’s chase when opener Muneeba Ali faced a contentious run-out off the last ball of the fourth over, following an lbw shout. She had grounded her bat but lifted it—leaving her out of her crease as Deepti Sharma’s throw dislodged the stumps. TV umpire Kerrin Klaaste ruled her out after an initial “not out” flashed on the screen, sparking outrage. Captain Fatima Sana protested vehemently to fourth umpire Kim Cotton, urging Muneeba to remain, per Associated Press footage. Under MCC Law 30.1, Muneeba’s case hinged on whether her brief grounding qualified amid no active running intent; ironically, she would have been lbw to Kranti Goud had India reviewed. India’s DRS misuse extended to wasted challenges and an unreviewed opportunity elsewhere.
Geopolitical strains underscored the no-handshake protocol at the toss, where Harmanpreet Kaur and Fatima Sana refrained from the traditional gesture mirroring recent men’s Asia Cup matches as Pakistan opted to field. Post-match, no courtesies were exchanged among players, rooted in a deadly militant attack on tourists in India-administered Kashmir earlier this year. Though India hosts the tournament officially, Pakistan’s fixtures are in Sri Lanka due to longstanding tensions, barring bilateral tours until at least 2027.
Echoing this, in the men’s Asia Cup, India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav skipped handshakes with Pakistan’s Salman Agha across three games, including a five-wicket final win in Dubai, adhering to BCCI and government directives, according to Sky Sports. India also declined the trophy from Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi Pakistan Cricket Board chair and interior minister opting for an “imaginary” lift in celebrations, as shown in Associated Press photos.