India Defeated Pakistan by 88 Runs After Toss Drama and Bug Chaos in Colombo

COLOMBO: From a tense toss to a bizarre bug delay, the India vs Pakistan Women’s World Cup 2025 match in Colombo had every twist possible. But, it was India's Women’s cricket team who walked away with a convincing 88-run win, and Pakistan left searching for answers once again.

The day started with some unfavourable scenes right from the toss. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana and India’s Harmanpreet Kaur skipped the pre-match handshake, a small moment that set a charged tone. Sana won the toss and chose to bowl, hoping the pitch would offer something early. It did, but not enough to stop India’s steady climb to 247.

Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana began brightly, adding 48 before Fatima Sana trapped Mandhana lbw for 23. Rawal’s fluent 31 was followed by a collapse that saw India lose wickets.

Harleen Deol then anchored the innings with a solid 46 off 65 balls, supported by Jemimah Rodrigues (32) and Deepti Sharma (25). But just as India looked set for a bigger total, Diana Baig stormed through the middle and lower order. She removed Harmanpreet, Deepti, and Renuka Singh, finishing with 4 for 69 in her 10 overs.

Richa Ghosh’s late 35 off 20 balls gave India the finishing push they needed, with Pakistan’s bowlers losing grip in the death overs. Sadia Iqbal (2 for 47) and Fatima Sana (2 for 38) played their part, but India’s total of 247 always looked above par.

The match took a surreal turn midway through India’s innings. Play stopped in the 34th over, as a swarm of flying insects covered the field. Players and umpires covered their faces, and the ground staff came in with sprays.

For nearly 15 minutes, the pitch was shrouded in anti-insect smoke, forcing players off the field. When play resumed, India quickly regained focus, while Pakistan seemed to lose domination.

Chasing 248, Pakistan needed stability but found chaos instead. Muneeba Ali was run out for 2 after a mix-up. Sadaf Shamas (6) and Aliya Riaz (2) followed soon after, leaving Pakistan 26 for 3 in the 12th over.

Only Sidra Ameen looked settled. Her 81 off 106 balls was a lesson in patience consisting of nine fours and a six. She found support from Natalia Pervaiz, who made 33, and together they added 69 for the fourth wicket.

But once Kranti Goud broke the partnership, Pakistan’s innings collapsed. From 95 for 3, they folded for 159 in 43 overs. Diana Baig’s 9 from 13 balls and Sidra Nawaz’s 14 were the only blips of resistance in a sinking lineup.

Kranti Goud led with 3 for 20 in 10 overs, tying Pakistan’s batters down with relentless accuracy. Deepti Sharma got 3 for 45 and Sneh Rana took 2 for 38, while Renuka Singh’s miserly 10-over spell for just 29 runs built unrelenting pressure.

For Pakistan, it was another match with a disappointing loss. The bowlers, especially Diana Baig, had given them a real chance. But the batters couldn’t match the same spirit. India, on the other hand, handled every twist. From Richa Ghosh’s burst at the end to Kranti Goud’s precision with the ball, they ticked every box.

As the players walked off under the Colombo lights, it was India celebrating again, and Pakistan, once more, left to wonder what could have been.

Final Score:

India Women: 247 all out in 50 overs (Harleen Deol 46, Richa Ghosh 35*, Diana Baig 4-69)

Pakistan Women: 159 all out in 43 overs (Sidra Ameen 81, Kranti Goud 3-20, Deepti Sharma 3-45)

Result: India Women won by 88 runs

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