In a newspaper article I read a sentence:

Women had begun to outnumber men as the namaz began at the shrine.

We usually use:

(Past simple + as + past sample)

(Past perfect + before + past simple)

I had finished speaking to her before I got off the bus.

The light went out as I plugged in the charger.

If I use before instead of as in the newspaper sentence.

Thanks in advance.

In a newspaper article I read a sentence:

Women had begun to outnumber men as the namaz began at the shrine.

We usually use:

(Past simple + as + past sample)

(Past perfect + before + past simple)

I had finished speaking to her before I got off the bus.

The light went out as I plugged in the charger.

If I use before instead of as in the newspaper sentence.

In a newspaper article I read a sentence:

Women had begun to outnumber men as the namaz began at the shrine.

We usually use:

(Past simple + as + past sample)  (Past perfect + before + past simple)

I had finished speaking to her before I got off the bus.

The light went out as I plugged in the charger.

If I use before instead of as in the newspaper sentence.

Thanks in advance.

In a newspaper article I read a sentence:

Women had begun to outnumber men as the namaz began at the shrine.

We usually use:

(Past simple + as + past sample) 

(Past perfect + before + past simple)

I had finished speaking to her before I got off the bus.

The light went out as I plugged in the charger.

If I use before instead of as in the newspaper sentence.

Thanks in advance.

In a newspaper article I read a sentence:

Women had begun to outnumber men as the namaz began at the shrine.

(Past perfect + as + past simple)

Typical sentences with the conjunction as are:

I tripped as I got off the bus.

The light went out as I plugged in the charger.

"As" usually shows no time gap.

What is special with the newspaper sentence? Is it just a mistake?

Thanks in advance.

In a newspaper article I read a sentence:

Women had begun to outnumber men as the namaz began at the shrine.

We usually use:

(Past simple + as + past sample) (Past perfect + before + past simple)

I had finished speaking to her before I got off the bus.

The light went out as I plugged in the charger.

If I use before instead of as in the newspaper sentence.

Thanks in advance.