**Bugs Stop Play! India-Pakistan Women’s WC Match Faces Bizarre Stoppage**
*By Parth Dhall | October 5, 2025, 6:39 PM*
The highly anticipated 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup clash between India and Pakistan was interrupted by an unexpected invasion of bugs. The match, held in Colombo, saw a swarm of insects around the pitch area, forcing players to leave the field shortly after India was asked to bat first by Pakistan.
The unusual delay lasted approximately 15 minutes while pest control officials sprayed the field to manage the bug problem.
**Captain’s Reaction and On-Field Fumigation**
As the bugs began swarming the pitch in the 28th over, Pakistan captain Fatima Sana quickly approached the umpires to raise the issue. A substitute fielder came onto the field armed with bug spray, leading to some light-hearted moments as Sana sprayed the insects into the air.
When this initial attempt failed to resolve the issue, two individuals wearing masks and carrying fogging machines were dispatched onto the field to fumigate the area.
**Ongoing Disruption During Match**
Despite the fumigation efforts, the bug problem continued to disrupt play. India’s Jemimah Rodrigues was dismissed in the first over after the resumption, while teammate Sneh Rana was seen actively trying to keep the bugs away.
The interruptions persisted during the 38th over when a bug flew through Pakistan bowler Rameen Shamim’s glasses and into her eye immediately after she delivered the first ball, causing another stoppage.
**Tense Atmosphere Adds to Match Drama**
Earlier in the day, captains Harmanpreet Kaur (India) and Fatima Sana (Pakistan) notably refrained from shaking hands during the toss in Colombo. This no-handshake policy between the teams continues amid ongoing political tensions between the two nations.
The gesture follows a similar incident during the Men’s T20 Asia Cup, where Indian players also avoided handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts. According to Cricbuzz, ICC match officials had planned to brief both teams on match-day protocols ahead of the game.
This unexpected insect invasion and the tense atmosphere added an unusual and dramatic element to what was already a highly charged encounter between India and Pakistan in the Women’s World Cup.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/bugs-stop-play-in-women-s-wc-india-pakistan-encounter/story