**Bugs Stop Play! India-Pakistan Women’s WC Match Faces Bizarre Stoppage**
*By Parth Dhall | Oct 05, 2025, 06:39 PM*
The highly anticipated 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup clash between India and Pakistan in Colombo was interrupted by an unexpected and unusual invasion—bugs swarming the pitch area, forcing players to leave the field temporarily.
### Invasion of Bugs Halts Play
The trouble began after Pakistan won the toss and chose to field first, with India commencing their innings. As the match progressed, a swarm of bugs gathered around the playing area, creating an uncomfortable and distracting situation for the players. This prompted a 15-minute stoppage for pest control measures to be taken.
### Captain’s Reaction and Fumigation Efforts
During the 28th over, Pakistan captain Fatima Sana quickly approached the umpires to raise concerns about the bug invasion. A substitute fielder appeared on the field armed with a bug spray, leading to some lighthearted moments as Sana sprayed it into the air. When this initial attempt failed to resolve the issue, two individuals wearing masks and carrying fogging machines entered the field to fumigate the area.
### Persistent Disruption During Play
Despite the fumigation efforts, the bug problem continued to disrupt the game. Jemimah Rodrigues was dismissed shortly after play resumed, while teammate Sneh Rana was seen repeatedly swatting bugs away. The disruption escalated again in the 38th over when a bug flew into Pakistan bowler Rameen Shamim’s glasses and into her eye right after bowling the first delivery, prompting another temporary halt.
### Off-Field Tensions: No Handshake Policy at Toss
Ahead of the match, the ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan were evident on the field as well. Captains Harmanpreet Kaur (India) and Fatima Sana (Pakistan) maintained distance during the toss ceremony in Colombo, continuing the no-handshake policy seen earlier during the Men’s T20 Asia Cup. The International Cricket Council (ICC) officials had planned to brief both teams on match-day protocols amid these sensitivities.
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The bizarre bug invasion added an unexpected twist to an already high-profile encounter, reminding fans and players alike that sometimes Mother Nature has her own plans, even on cricket’s biggest stages.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/bugs-stop-play-in-women-s-wc-india-pakistan-encounter/story