The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the global authority on the Laws of Cricket, has confirmed that the controversial run-out of Pakistan’s Muneeba Ali during the India-Pakistan Women’s World Cup 2025 match was correctly adjudicated by the umpires. The incident, which sparked widespread debate across social media and cricketing circles, occurred during Pakistan’s chase in Colombo, when Muneeba was ruled run out after appearing to have made her ground but then lifting her bat momentarily.
The dismissal took place in the fourth over of Pakistan’s innings. Deepti Sharma, fielding at point, threw directly at the stumps after Muneeba had momentarily left her crease. The on-field umpires referred the decision upstairs, and after multiple replays, the third umpire confirmed that Muneeba’s bat was airborne when the stumps were broken. The verdict — out — caused visible frustration in the Pakistan camp and triggered a storm of online arguments, with many questioning whether the “bouncing bat law” should have applied.
In its clarification issued from Lord’s, MCC stated that the umpires’ decision was “entirely correct” and fully consistent with Law 30.1.2, which governs a batter’s grounding of the bat or body. The law protects a batter only if they are running or diving into the crease and have already grounded their bat before losing contact with the ground. In Muneeba’s case, MCC clarified, she was not in the act of running but had already returned and subsequently lifted her bat — meaning she was not deemed “safe” at the moment the wicket was broken.
MCC further explained that play had not been called dead, as the previous LBW appeal had been ruled “not out,” allowing Deepti Sharma’s throw to remain valid. The ball, therefore, was live, and the run-out stood as per the laws. The statement emphasized that umpires acted correctly within the framework of the rules, despite the intensity of the India-Pakistan rivalry and the scrutiny that followed.
The clarification brings closure to what had become one of the tournament’s most talked-about incidents. Pakistan’s captain Fatima Sana had expressed disappointment in post-match comments, calling the decision “harsh” and questioning the consistency of third-umpire judgments. However, following the MCC’s intervention, it is now evident that the dismissal was purely a matter of law, not interpretation.
This decision has also reignited discussions about players’ awareness of fine margins in modern cricket. Coaches and analysts noted that Muneeba’s lapse — lifting her bat when not required — proved costly in a high-pressure match where every wicket mattered.
By reaffirming the ruling, MCC has sent a clear message: the laws are explicit, and the “bouncing bat” clause cannot be misapplied. The run-out of Muneeba Ali, though unfortunate for Pakistan, stands as a legitimate dismissal and a timely reminder that even minor lapses in concentration can decide outcomes in the game’s most intense encounters.
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