India launched their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign in spectacular fashion and beat the arch-rivals Pakistan by 64 runs at Edgbaston. A masterclass in batting from Smriti Mandhana, combined with a sensational five-wicket haul by Deepti Sharma and some brilliant moments in the field, ensured India’s comfortable victory. The win gave India early momentum in the tournament and once again reinforced their authority in India vs Pakistan clashes, especially at the World Cups.
Mandhana, Kaur, Richa help India set strong target
Batting first, India came under early pressure after the quick dismissals of Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues. Mandhana then steadied the innings with a composed yet attacking knock of 68 off 44 balls, including nine fours and two sixes. Her partnership with captain Harmanpreet Kaur (36) helped India regain control. Once the duo was dismissed, Richa Ghosh walked in and added major runs to take India’s total to a strong 170/6 in 20 overs. Meanwhile, Deepti and Richa picked up 23 runs in the penultimate over from Tasmia Rubab to push the total from around 150 to the range of 170.
Also Read: Harmanpreet Kaur becomes India’s leading run-scorer in Women’s T20 World Cups
Pakistan’s chase crumbles thanks to India’s all-round efforts
Pakistan’s chase began with the dangerous Muneeba Ali pushing the team score to 52/1 in the Powerplay. However, India’s fielders quickly turned the tide, complementing the bowlers with some phenomenal catching. Shreyanka Patil took a stunner to dismiss a well-set batter off Shree Charani’s bowling. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was equally exceptional in the field, showing safe hands to grab a pair of tough catches, including a critical leading-edge from Saira Jabeen. The relentless intensity on the field eventually triggered a massive middle-order collapse for Pakistan.
Unstoppable Deepti Sharma
Deepti Sharma was the standout performer of the day. Her first breakthrough came by forcing Gull Feroza into a false reverse-sweep, followed by Ayesha Zafar’s dismissal within the first 7 overs. However, in the 11th over, a sharp direct hit from Deepti to run out Muneeba Ali for 41 changed the course of the innings.
With Pakistan’s spine broken, Deepti ripped through the lower order. She finished with career-best figures of 5 for 10 in her 4 overs at an astonishing economy rate of just 2.50 with 14 dot balls in her spell. Her lethal spell finished with three wickets in an over that removed the dangerous Aliya Riaz, Tasmia Rubab and Nashara Sandhu. In the process, Deepti became the highest wicket-taker in women’s T20Is with 166 wickets.
Shree Charani made an impressive T20 World Cup debut with a memorable spell of 3 for 21. It was the collective effort from the Indian bowling attack, led by Deepti and supported by the fielders, that saw Pakistan crumble from a steady position to being bundled out for just 106 in 17 overs.
Brief scores: India 170/6 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 68, Harmanpreet Kaur 36; Fatima Sana 2/33) beat Pakistan 106 in 17 overs (Muneeba Ali 41, Aliya Riaz 18; Deepti Sharma 5/10) by 64 runs
Player of the Match: Deepti Sharma
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