What Happened During the Women’s World Cup: 'Bugs Break' Halts Play as India Reaches 154/4 Against Pakistan?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In a surprising turn of events during the Women's ODI World Cup, the match between India and Pakistan was temporarily halted due to a bug invasion. As India reached 154/4, players faced unusual distractions on the field. The interruption was managed to ensure a fair game, showcasing the unexpected challenges athletes can face.
Key Takeaways
- Play was halted for pest control during the match.
- India scored 154/4 in 34 overs at the time of interruption.
- Harleen Deol was the top scorer with 46 runs.
- Pakistan's disciplined bowling created pressure on the Indian batting lineup.
- Jemimah Rodrigues remains a key player for India.
Colombo, Oct 5 (NationPress) Unprecedented events occurred at the R. Premadasa Stadium during the much-anticipated encounter between India and Pakistan in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, as play was paused to enable ground staff to conduct pest control measures.
Recent persistent rainfall in Colombo has resulted in an influx of bugs across the outfield, causing noticeable discomfort and distraction for players from both teams during the match. After 34 overs, match officials opted to temporarily vacate the field so the ground could be cleared of pests, improving playing conditions.
This unexpected pause is not expected to impact the match duration, as it is anticipated that the 15-minute break will be adjusted by shortening the innings interval, ensuring no overs are lost. When play was interrupted, India had scored 154/4 in 34 overs, with Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma remaining not out on 28 and 2, respectively.
Having been put into bat first, India started on a positive note, with Smriti Mandhana striking a boundary off Sadia Iqbal, while Pratika Rawal showcased her skills with a series of three consecutive boundaries off Diana Baig. Smriti executed a square drive, deft dab, and a crisp cut to earn three boundaries off Diana, even surviving an lbw appeal as replays revealed the ball had pitched far outside leg-stump.
However, Pakistan managed to regain control when captain Fatima Sana Khan dismissed Smriti lbw with a well-placed nip-backer, causing India’s vice-captain to waste a review. In a bid to accelerate the scoring, Harleen Deol found her rhythm, cutting late off Rameen Shamim for four and lofting over long-on for six.
Pakistan struck again when Pratika attempted a shot against a back-of-the-length arm-ball from Sadia, only to see her off-stump cartwheeling away. Despite Harleen and Harmanpreet Kaur managing a boundary each, Pakistan's disciplined bowling restricted India’s scoring opportunities.
This disciplined effort rewarded Pakistan, as Diana had Harmanpreet caught behind by keeper Sidra Nawaz just before the halfway mark of the innings. Diana also caught Jemimah Rodrigues behind, but her celebration turned to frustration as replays indicated she had overstepped, granting the batter a significant reprieve.
Subsequently, Jemimah scored her runs through a pull, sweep, and late cut, narrowly escaping a run-out after being well out of her crease. However, Harleen, in her quest to accelerate, was caught at long-on off Rameen for 46. While Pakistan may feel content, they must remain vigilant as Jemimah, in form, poses a threat to propel India to a formidable total, especially with Richa Ghosh yet to bat.
Brief scores:
India 154/4 in 34 overs (Harleen Deol 46; Rameen Shamim 1-21) against Pakistan
Point of View
The unexpected interruption during this pivotal match highlights the unpredictable nature of sports. It serves as a reminder that while athletes prepare for competition, external factors can significantly influence the game. The focus should remain on the players' resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges, ensuring that the spirit of the sport prevails.
NationPress
05/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the match halted?
The match was halted to allow ground staff to conduct pest control measures due to an influx of bugs on the field.
How did the rain affect the match?
Persistent rain in Colombo led to a surge in bugs, causing distractions for players and necessitating a temporary pause in play.
What was India's score when play was interrupted?
At the time of interruption, India had scored 154 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in 34 overs.
Who were the key players for India during the match?
Harleen Deol scored 46 runs, while Jemimah Rodrigues remained not out on 28 runs at the time of the interruption.
Will the match duration be affected by the interruption?
No, the match duration will not be affected as the 15-minute break will be compensated by shortening the innings interval.
