A moment of intense confusion cast a shadow over the early innings of Pakistan’s match against India in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 on Sunday. Opener Muneeba Ali found herself at the center of a controversial dismissal during the final ball of the fourth over.
The sequence of events began with Kranti Gaud delivering a ball that appeared to trap Muneeba leg before wicket (LBW). While India’s fielders appealed loudly, wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh seemed hesitant, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur ultimately decided against reviewing the decision.
As discussions about the LBW appeal were still underway, Deepti Sharma seized an opportunity, executing a brilliant direct hit at the striker’s end, catching Muneeba Ali off guard and out of her crease.
Initially, the stadium’s big screen displayed “NOT OUT” following the third umpire’s first review, as it seemed Muneeba had successfully dragged her bat back behind the line. However, in a dramatic and rare twist, the match officials decided to take a second look. This time, their focus was on whether Muneeba’s bat was grounded when the ball made contact with the stumps.
Replays unequivocally showed that her bat was in the air at the critical moment, leading to the reversal of the initial decision. The run-out was confirmed, sending Muneeba back to the pavilion after scoring just 2 runs off 12 balls.
This unusual sequence caused palpable confusion on the field. Muneeba herself lingered near the boundary line for a considerable time, visibly perplexed by the call. Pakistan’s captain, Fatima Sana, was also seen engaging in a heated discussion with a match official, seeking clarification on the decision. The game briefly came to a halt amidst these tense exchanges.
Further adding to the delay, Pakistan’s incoming batter, Sidra Amin, waited patiently at the ropes before officials finally gestured for her to proceed to the crease. The entire episode perfectly encapsulated a chaotic phase of play that saw emotions running high on both sides.
Under Law 30 of the playing conditions, a batter is considered out of their ground unless a part of their person or bat is grounded behind the popping crease. While a batter who has already made their ground while running or diving and then momentarily loses contact might be considered safe, Muneeba’s situation was different. As she was stationary, her lifted bat meant she was technically out of her ground, making the “out” decision legally correct.
It was an unfortunate turn of events for Muneeba, who seemed to have made her ground, only for her bat to lift at the very last instant. At the six-over mark, Pakistan stood at 18 for 1, facing a daunting task of chasing 230 more runs to win. Sadaf Shamas (5*) and Sidra Amin (8*) were at the crease, battling hard against Renuka Singh Thakur’s disciplined opening spell.
This rare double-check decision and its ensuing aftermath left both the crowd and players momentarily bewildered, serving as a powerful reminder of how the smallest margins can dramatically impact the outcome of a game.