Diana Baig’s 4 wickets Restrict India to 247 After Bugs Interruption in Colombo

COLOMBO: Diana Baig led Pakistan’s bowling charge with a fiery four-wicket spell as India were restricted to 247 in their ICC Women’s World Cup fixture at the R Premadasa Stadium on Sunday.

India, sent in to bat first, started steadily with openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal adding 48 for the first wicket. Mandhana looked composed early on but fell for 23 off 32 balls, trapped lbw by Fatima Sana, Pakistan’s first breakthrough of the day. Rawal followed soon after, scoring 31 in a tidy start that never turned into something bigger.

Indian innings struggled in the middle overs before Harleen Deol played a sensible knock of 46 off 65 balls, hitting four boundaries and a six. She held India’s innings together as wickets kept tumbling around her.

Play was also interrupted midway through the innings when a swarm of bugs invaded the field. It was an unusual stoppage in the tournament. Players covered their faces, and umpires had to halt play for several minutes before the match resumed under calmer conditions.

From Pakistan, Diana Baig was the standout bowler, who bowled with rhythm and aggression. She finished with 4 for 69 in her 10 overs, including one maiden. Her consistent lengths and sharp seam movement kept India under pressure throughout. Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal chipped in with key wickets to maintain control.

Earlier at the toss, both captains notably skipped the traditional handshake. It was the moment that drew attention before Pakistan opted to bowl first. The decision proved right so far as Pakistani bowlers made full use of the early movement to restrict India to 247.

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