India crush Pakistan by 64 runs in Women’s T20 World Cup opener
BIRMINGHAM: A brilliant five-wicket haul by Deepti Sharma and a fluent half-century from Smriti Mandhana powered India to a comprehensive 64-run victory over Pakistan in their opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Edgbaston on Sunday.
Chasing a target of 171, Pakistan were bowled out for 106 in 17 overs as India’s disciplined bowling attack staged a remarkable comeback after the opposition’s promising start.
Pakistan began positively, with their openers adding 38 runs for the first wicket. Muneeba Ali looked in good touch and put early pressure on the Indian bowlers before Deepti Sharma broke the partnership by dismissing Gull Feroza for 12 off nine balls, including two boundaries.
Muneeba and Ayesha Zafar then steadied the innings and took Pakistan past the 50-run mark. However, Deepti struck again, removing Ayesha for 12 off eight deliveries to leave Pakistan at 53/2 in 6.3 overs.
Despite Muneeba’s resistance, Pakistan continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. Shree Charani added to the pressure by dismissing Saira Jabeen for just two.
Muneeba was eventually run out after a composed 41 off 35 balls, featuring five boundaries, leaving Pakistan struggling at 75/4 in 10.5 overs.
Captain Fatima Sana was dismissed for a duck by Shafali Verma, while Natalia Pervaiz managed only seven runs before becoming the sixth batter to depart.
Charani claimed her third wicket by removing Rameen Shamim for four, further denting Pakistan’s hopes.
Deepti then returned to clean up the tail, dismissing Aliya Riaz and Tasmia Rubab before Nashra Sandhu became the final wicket to fall, sealing a dominant Indian victory.
Deepti finished with exceptional figures of 5/10 in four overs, while Charani picked up three wickets and Shafali chipped in with one.
Earlier, India posted 170/6 in their allotted 20 overs, thanks largely to a crucial partnership between Smriti Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur.
India had a mixed start as Shafali Verma smashed a six off the first ball of the innings but was dismissed later in the same over by spinner Sadia Iqbal.
Jemimah Rodrigues joined Mandhana at the crease, but India’s innings suffered another setback when Rodrigues fell cheaply for one off seven balls to Tasmia Rubab, reducing the side to 18/2 in 3.2 overs.
Harmanpreet Kaur then joined Mandhana, and the pair rebuilt the innings with a superb 91-run partnership, taking India past the 50-run mark in the ninth over and beyond 100 soon after.
Mandhana looked in sublime touch, bringing up her 34th T20I half-century before Rameen Shamim finally ended her brilliant knock of 68 off 44 balls, which included nine fours and two sixes.
India suffered another blow when Sadia Iqbal dismissed Bharti Fulmali for one, leaving the score at 110/4 in 14.2 overs.
Pakistan continued to make inroads as Fatima Sana removed Harmanpreet for 36 off 35 deliveries, an innings featuring four boundaries.
However, wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma provided the late flourish. Ghosh smashed 34 off just 17 balls, including five fours and a six, while Deepti remained unbeaten on 12 as India finished on 170/6.
For Pakistan, Sadia Iqbal and Fatima Sana claimed two wickets each, while Tasmia Rubab and Rameen Shamim picked up one wicket apiece.
