India began cautiously after losing a few early wickets, but the match soon became memorable for an unusual reason: flies disrupting play at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Flies Cause Disruption on the Field
The insects troubled both teams, with Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur first raising the issue to the umpires. The game was halted multiple times as players struggled to maintain concentration with flies swarming the pitch and playing area.
In the 28th over, Pakistan took an unconventional approach. After consulting the umpires, a substitute ran onto the field with a spray, which was handed to Pakistan captain Fatima Sana. Sana promptly sprayed the flies, providing much-needed relief not just for her team but likely for the Indian batters as well.
The incident highlighted the occasional challenges at Sri Lankan grounds, which are known for wildlife and insects; during India’s training session at the venue, a snake was even spotted.
India Look to Bounce Back Amid Distractions
Despite the unusual interruption, India will aim to accelerate in the remaining overs and post a competitive total. India began their tournament with a win over Sri Lanka, while Pakistan suffered a defeat against Bangladesh. Historically, India has dominated Pakistan in World Cups, and they will look to maintain that edge given their overall squad strength.
