**Women’s WC: Was Muneeba Ali’s Controversial Run-Out Against India Legitimate?**
*By Parth Dhall | Oct 06, 2025, 11:07 AM*
A controversial run-out involving Pakistan’s Muneeba Ali sparked widespread debate during the India-Pakistan ICC Women’s World Cup clash held at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday.
**What Happened?**
Pakistan was chasing a target of 248 after bowling India out but ultimately fell short. On the last ball of the fourth over, bowler Kranti Gaud delivered a full ball targeting the middle and leg areas. Muneeba Ali attempted a flick but missed the ball. The ball deflected off her pads toward second slip.
Despite an on-field LBW appeal being rejected, India’s Deepti Sharma reacted quickly, picking up the ball and hitting the stumps at the batter’s end. Initially, Muneeba was given not out on the field, but the third umpire intervened after replay showed that although Muneeba had grounded her bat initially, she lifted it just as the bails were dislodged. As a result, she was ruled out, leaving her visibly upset.
**The Review and Ball Tracking**
Ball tracking technology later revealed that if India had opted to review the on-field LBW decision, Muneeba would have been out anyway. This revelation intensified the on-field tension, which was already high due to earlier controversies.
**Earlier Toss Controversy**
Umpire Shandre Fritz mistakenly declared Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana the toss winner after mishearing her call of “tails” as “heads.” Adding to the strain, there were no handshakes between the Indian and Pakistani captains, Harmanpreet Kaur and Fatima Sana, reflecting the tense relations between the teams. Players from both sides also skipped formal greetings before the national anthems. This rivalry has been particularly intense recently, with India and Pakistan facing off three times last month during the men’s Asia Cup without any post-match handshakes amid heightened political tensions following a deadly border conflict in May.
**What Do MCC Laws Say?**
According to MCC’s Laws of Cricket, article 30.1 states:
“A batter shall be considered to be out of her ground unless some part of her person or bat is grounded behind the popping crease at that end.”
However, article 30.1.2 clarifies:
“A batter shall not be considered to be out of her ground if, in running or diving towards her ground and beyond, having grounded some part of her person or bat beyond the popping crease.”
In this case, the third umpire’s decision aligned with the laws, given Muneeba lifted her bat before the bails were broken.
**Match Result**
India defeated Pakistan by 88 runs. Harleen Deol contributed a vital 46 off 65 balls, while Richa Ghosh added a quickfire 35 off 20 balls, helping India post a competitive total of 247 on a slow pitch.
Kranti Gaud was the standout performer with figures of 3/20, dismantling Pakistan’s top order. India’s spinners successfully managed the middle order and tail, securing the dominant victory.
With this win, India maintained their flawless head-to-head WODI record against Pakistan at 12-0.
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*The incident remains a talking point as the intense rivalry between the two teams continues to unfold on and off the field.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/legitimate-or-not-debate-over-muneeba-ali-s-dismissal-against-india/story
