The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) issued a statement following the run-out of Muneeba Ali in the Women’s World Cup 2025 match against India, which sparked widespread debate and controversy.
MCC Confirms Muneeba Ali Run-Out Decision
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the custodians of cricket laws, issued a statement regarding Pakistan opening batter Muneeba Ali’s run-out during the Women’s World Cup 2025 match against India at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The MCC confirmed that Muneeba was rightly given out, clarifying that the incident did not fall under the “bouncing bat” law.
The run-out occurred on the final ball of the fourth over. A loud appeal for LBW was made, but the on-field umpire did not raise her finger. India did not opt for a review. Deepti Sharma demonstrated sharp game awareness by throwing the ball towards the stumps, prompting an appeal from the Indian camp and a review by the third umpire.
Replays showed that Muneeba initially grounded her bat, but as the ball hit the stumps, her bat was in the air. After multiple replays, the third umpire ruled her out. The decision created some confusion, with Pakistan captain Fatima Sana seeking clarification from the fourth umpire before Muneeba left the field.
The MCC also clarified that the ball was not dead during the incident. “There are a number of pieces of Law to consider here. The first, and simplest, is that just because there was a vociferous appeal for LBW, the ball had clearly not become dead. The appeal had been answered not out; the ball was not finally settled in the hands of the wicket-keeper, and Deepti’s act alone is a demonstration that not all the players considered it dead. The ball remains in play,” the MCC stated.
‘Bouncing bat law’
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) clarified that Muneeba Ali could not have been protected by the bouncing bat law during her run-out in the Women’s World Cup 2025 match against India. The law, introduced in 2010, protects a batter who loses contact with the ground while moving toward the stumps, either by a bouncing bat or both feet being airborne during a natural run.
“Muneeba was not moving towards her ground. She had taken guard from beyond the popping crease, and at no time did her feet move back into her ground. This law, sometimes referred to as the ‘bouncing bat law,’ is to protect a batter who inadvertently loses contact with the ground as they move towards the stumps. It does not protect a batter who is turning for another run, overbalancing, or who – as in Muneeba’s case – simply lifts their bat into the air. The third umpire was entirely correct to give this out,” the MCC stated.
In the match, India defeated Pakistan by 88 runs, securing a convincing victory in the Women’s World Cup encounter.
