AUS-W vs PAK-W: Nida Dar sparks controversy after pulling out from Tahlia McGrath's delivery

Veteran Pakistani all-rounder Nida Dar instigated controversy in the third and final ODI against Australia when she pulled out from facing a delivery at the very last moment. The Australian players weren't happy with her antics as the ball had hit the stumps only for the on-field umpire to deem it a dead ball.

Bismah Maroof's Pakistan needed to chase a mammoth total of 336 runs to avoid a whitewash in the three-match ODI series. While her side started brightly in the record run chase, the Australian bowlers fought back with a couple of wickets after the powerplay. Despite those two crucial blows, the Women in Green were in a strong position as the skipper, along with Nida Dar, were going steadily at the crease.

However, a controversial moment took center stage during Tahlia McGrath's 27th over. The tall Aussie quick ran and bowl the fifth ball of the over, but Nida Dar, who was on strike, swayed away just before the ball pitched and hit her stumps. The on-field umpire called it a dead ball as the batter had pulled out of the delivery. But the home side weren't pleased as they thought the batter had a clear view of the ball and pulled out too late.

Nida Dar pulled out of her stance very, very late here 🤔#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/xYypM0aWef

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 21, 2023

Beth Mooney's rollicking century propels Australia to a mammoth total

Earlier in the match, the hosts were invited to bat first in the contest after Pakistan won the toss and elected to field first. The Aussies were rocked early in their innings after the cheap dismissal of Phoebe Litchfield in the eighth over. But mercurial opener Beth Mooney, who scored a brisk half-century in the previous game, but the Pakistani bowlers to the sword with a sensational 133 off just 105 deliveries.

Australian skipper Meg Lanning also contributed, with a handsome 72 off 70 deliveries before Annabel Sutherland and Ashleigh Gardner's brisk cameos, which took them to a daunting total of 336 runs in their 50 overs. Pakistan were off to a decent start in the chase but lost their way in the middle overs and could only manage 235 runs on the board as the home side completed a clean sweep in the ODI series. 

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