BIRMINGHAM: India defeated Pakistan by 64 runs in their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 opener at Edgbaston on Sunday, powered by a five-wicket haul from Deepti Sharma and a fluent half-century from Smriti Mandhana.
Chasing 171, Pakistan were bowled out for 106 in 17 overs as India’s bowling attack produced a dominant all-round performance after posting 170-6 in their allotted 20 overs.
Batting first, India recovered from an early collapse to post a competitive total.
Smriti Mandhana struck a classy 68 off 44 balls, hitting nine fours and two sixes. Harmanpreet Kaur contributed 36 off 35 deliveries as the pair stitched a crucial 91-run partnership.
India were reduced to 18-2 early after Sadia Iqbal dismissed Shafali Verma for six and Tasmia Rubab removed Jemimah Rodrigues for one.
However, Mandhana and Harmanpreet stabilised the innings before Pakistan struck back with quick wickets.
Richa Ghosh provided late momentum with a 17-ball 34, while Deepti Sharma added an unbeaten 12 to push India to 170-6.
For Pakistan, Sadia Iqbal and Fatima Sana took two wickets each.
Pakistan’s chase falters despite Muneeba Ali’s resistance
Pakistan began positively in pursuit of 171, with Muneeba Ali anchoring the innings with 41 off 35 balls.
She shared useful partnerships with Gull Feroza and Ayesha Zafar as Pakistan reached 53-2 inside seven overs.
However, India’s bowlers struck regularly to derail the chase. Deepti Sharma broke the opening stand and later returned to dismantle the middle and lower order, finishing with outstanding figures of 5-10.
Shree Charani also impressed with three wickets, while Shafali Verma picked up one.
Pakistan collapsed from 75-4 to be bowled out for 106. Fatima Sana fell for a duck as wickets tumbled at regular intervals.
India’s comprehensive victory gave them a strong start to their campaign, with both batting depth and bowling discipline proving decisive in a one-sided contest.
Pakistan Playing XI
Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali (wk), Ayesha Zafar, Saira Jabeen, Natalia Pervaiz, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana (c), Rameen Shamim, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal, Tasmia Rubab.
India Playing XI
Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Bharti Fulmali, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Shreyanka Patil.
