Controversy erupted during the India versus Pakistan Women's World Cup 2025 clash in Colombo on Sunday (October 5) after Muneeba Ali was given run-out in a dramatic fashion.

Muneeba had wandered out of her crease, with a throw from Deepti Sharma hitting the stumps. The third umpire decided to give the verdict in the Indian team's favour, sparking a massive debate that also saw Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana take up the matter with the officials.

The incident unfolded on the last ball of the fourth over when Muneeba initially survived an LBW appeal off Kranti Gaud, as India chose not to review despite replays later showing three reds. However, the Pakistan opener’s decision to wander out of the crease cost her dearly.

Muneeba was able to ground the bat at first, but as the ball hit the stumps, the willow was raised and her feet were out of the crease, prompting TV umpire Kerrin Klaaste to declare her out on a second look.

While the decision divided opinions, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has issued a clarification on the unusual run-out of Muneeba Ali, saying that the third umpire was ‘entirely correct' in adjudging her as run-out.

MCC, the custodian of the Laws of Cricket, first touched upon the suggestion that Muneeba could have been protected by Law 30.1.2, which goes as, “a batter shall not be considered to be out of his/her ground if, in running or diving towards his/her ground and beyond, and having grounded some part of his/her person or bat beyond the popping crease, there is subsequent loss of contact between the ground and any part of his/her person or bat, or between the bat and person.”

“This Law means that if you are running or diving towards the end that the stumps are broken, and you ground your bat or person behind the line, you are not out if you then lose contact with the ground and the wicket is subsequently broken. Muneeba had grounded her bat beyond the popping crease after being hit on the pads, and her bat subsequently lifted. Isn't this exactly what the Law covers?”

“The answer to that is no – the Law specifically only covers a player who is running or diving - and Muneeba was not moving towards her ground. She had taken guard from beyond the popping crease and at no time did her feet move back into her ground.”

“This Law, which was introduced in 2010 and is sometimes referred to as the ‘bouncing bat Law', is to protect a batter who inadvertently loses contact with the ground as they move towards the stumps, either with their bat bouncing up or just with both their feet being airborne through the natural process of running.”

“It does not protect a batter who is turning for another run, overbalancing, or who – as in Muneeba's case – simply lifts their bat into the air. The third umpire was entirely correct to give this Out,” said the MCC.

It further stated that Muneeba was rightly adjudged as run-out. “It's a Run out – although she was not attempting a run, and it was not a No ball, the wicket was not broken by the wicket-keeper without the intervention of another fielder – it was instead a fielder who threw it. So the decision, correctly given by the umpires, is Out, Run out.”

As for the match, India registered a crushing 88-run victory over Pakistan and jumped to top of standings. The Women in Green were bowled out for 159 in 43 overs while chasing the target of 248.