Insects Disrupt India-Pakistan Women's World Cup Match

Umpires halted the ICC Women’s World Cup match between India and Pakistan at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo after a swarm of flying insects invaded the field and ground staff were called in to fumigate using fogging machines while wearing gas masks. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana initially used a spray on the field before staff intervened around the 34th over; play briefly resumed but the insects returned and Pakistan offspinner Rameen Shamim required treatment after an insect entered her eye. Reports differ on the score at the stoppage (Sporting News said India 154/4), and some outlets later recorded India as all out for 247 with Pakistan praised for their bowling. A separate pre-match confusion saw match referee Shandre Fritz misrecord the toss call, and video of the insect disruption circulated online. The incident highlighted operational challenges from tropical conditions at the venue.