A recent match from the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, featuring arch-rivals India and Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium, has become the center of a social media storm. The discussions aren’t about the usual on-field rivalries, but a highly controversial moment during the toss.
The incident in question occurred when Pakistan captain Fatima Sana seemingly called out “tails.” However, the match official presiding over the toss immediately declared “heads” as the call, resulting in Pakistan winning the toss. Interestingly, the Pakistan skipper did not visibly protest or react to the announcement.
This unconventional turn of events instantly caught the attention of fans and commentators online, triggering widespread debate. Questions about the fairness of the toss quickly emerged, with many wondering if Pakistan had “unfairly” gained an advantage. As of now, no official statement has been released to clarify the incident, leaving the matter open to continued discussion across various platforms.
After winning the toss, Pakistan opted to bowl first, a decision Fatima Sana attributed to the overcast conditions and potential moisture on the wicket. They quickly made inroads into the Indian batting lineup, securing crucial early wickets that could significantly impact the game’s outcome. After 41 overs, India had posted 179 runs for the loss of 5 wickets, with notable contributions from Pratika Rawal (31), Smriti Mandhana (23), Harleen Deol (46), Harmanpreet Kaur (19), and Jemimah Rodrigues (32).
Ahead of the toss, India’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, expressed optimism, stating, “We played a good series here before the WC. We’re thinking positively and are looking to do well. One unfortunate change — Amanjot isn’t playing (she’s ill), Renuka Thakur replaces her. We’ve gelled well as a team and are looking forward to today’s contest.”
Pakistan’s skipper, Fatima Sana, laid out her team’s strategy: “We’re going to bowl first, looks like there could be some moisture on the wicket. One change for us — Sadaf Shamas replaces Omaima Sohail — our confidence is great, hopefully we’ll play better today. Anything under 250 could be a good chase.”
This toss controversy has undeniably added an unexpected layer of drama to an already tense fixture, forcing both teams to navigate not only the pitch conditions and the pressure of a high-stakes rivalry but also the lingering questions surrounding the game’s initial moments.