A surprising incident took place during the ICC Women’s World Cup match between Pakistan and South Africa, played at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. Due to an umpiring error in the match, the 27th over of the South African innings saw seven balls being bowled. Pakistan right-arm medium pacer Omaima Sohail was bowling and South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt was on strike.
The incident
The second ball of the over was smashed by Wolvaardt for a boundary. On the sixth and final ball of the over the other South Africa batter Sune Luus was given out by the umpire but a successful review taken by the South Africa team helped them in overturning the decision. This apparently would have been the end of the over but due to the umpire’s miscalculation another ball was bowled in the over by Omaima.
In the match, batting first, the South Africa team had registered a total of 223 runs losing 9 wickets in 50 overs. South Africa’s opening batter Laura Wolvaardt played a terrific innings of 75 runs off 91 balls as her innings was comprised of 10 boundaries. Skipper Luus on the other hand, supported Wolvaardt by scoring 62 runs off 137 deliveries. Later, Chloe Tryon (31 runs off 38 balls) and wicketkeeper Trisha Chettya (31 runs off 26 balls) showed some good batting skills to help their side in reaching a formidable total.
For Pakistan, their bowler Fatima Sana and Ghulam Fatima picked up three wickets each.
Defeat against India
Previously, in the first match of the tournament, Pakistan had to suffer 107-run defeat against arch-rivals India. In that match, batting first, Indian team had scored a total of 244 runs losing 7 wickets, in 50 overs. Indian opening batter Smriti Mandhana (52 runs off 75 balls), Sneh Rana (53 not out off 48 balls) and Pooja Vastrakar (67 runs off 59 balls) showed brilliant batting skills to reach a solid total.
In reply, Pakistan could reach a paltry total of 137 runs in 43 overs. Pakistan opening batter Sidra Ameen’s 30-run knock turned out to be the highest score for the Pakistan team.
Indian bowler Rajeshwari Gayakwad scalped four crucial wickets to secure a convincing victory for the Indian team.
