A dramatic and controversial moment lit up during the high-stakes ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 clash between Pakistan and India at the Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo, when Pakistani opener Muneeba Ali was run out in an unusual fashion during the early overs of the chase.
The incident occurred on the final ball of the fourth over, adding to the mounting tension between the arch-rivals.
Muneeba pushed the ball gently and attempted a run, but a sharp piece of fielding resulted in a direct hit at the striker’s end.
Initially, the situation seemed straightforward as the on-field umpire referred the decision upstairs, and the big screen showed “Not Out,” suggesting that Muneeba had made her ground in time.
However, the twist came moments later when the third umpire decided to take another look at the footage.
Upon closer inspection, it was revealed that Muneeba’s bat had bounced slightly in the air at the precise moment the ball hit the stumps.
With no part of the bat or her body grounded behind the crease, the decision was reversed, and the big screen flashed “Out,” leaving the batter visibly stunned and the Pakistani camp in disbelief.
Meanwhile, Muneeba was told to stay on the field of play by captain Fatima Sana while she had a chat with the fourth umpire on the boundary line.
As per the ICC regulations, a batter is declared Run Out if, at any time while the ball is in play, they are out of the crease and the wicket is fairly broken by a fielder, regardless of whether a run was being attempted.
MCC law 30 further clarifies that once a batter has made their ground but loses contact due to forward momentum, he or she cannot be given out — unless the bat or body was never grounded behind the crease at the moment the wicket was broken.
The controversy added fuel to an already tense encounter, in which India’s Harmanpreet Kaur and Fatima Sana avoided a handshake, mirroring a similar incident that happened in the recently held men’s Asia Cup 2025.
At the time of filing this story, Pakistan were struggling at 34-3 in 15.3 overs in pursuit of India’s 248.
Sidra Amin scored 12* off 37 balls, whereas Natalia Pervaiz remained unbeaten on five from 14 balls.