India Women began their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a 64-run victory over Pakistan Women in a Group A match. A b all-round performance with both bat and ball helped India secure an important win and claim two points.
Batting first, India scored 170 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, Pakistan were bowled out for 106 in 17 overs.
India did not get the start they had hoped for. Opener Shafali Verma was dismissed for six, while Jemimah Rodrigues returned to the pavilion after scoring one run. India were reduced to 18 for 2 before Smriti Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur rebuilt the innings.
The pair added 91 runs for the third wicket to provide a solid foundation. Mandhana scored 68 runs from 44 balls, including nine fours and two sixes. Harmanpreet contributed 36 runs from 35 balls as India moved towards a competitive total.
In the closing overs, wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh accelerated the scoring with 34 runs from 17 balls, including five fours and one six. All-rounder Deepti Sharma remained unbeaten on 12 as India finished on 170 for 6.
For Pakistan, captain Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal claimed two wickets each, while Tasmia Rubab and Rameen Shamim took one wicket apiece.
Chasing a target of 171, Pakistan made a positive start through Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza, who added 38 runs for the opening wicket. Muneeba scored 41 runs from 35 balls with five boundaries.
However, after the powerplay, India’s bowlers gained control of the match. Pakistan continued to lose wickets at regular intervals and failed to build any significant partnerships. Aliya Riaz scored 18 runs, but received little support from the other end. Captain Fatima Sana was dismissed without scoring, increasing the pressure on the batting side.
Deepti Sharma played a decisive role in India’s victory with figures of 5 wickets for 10 runs in four overs. She dismissed Gull Feroza, Aysha Zafar, Aliya Riaz, Nashra Sandhu and Tasmia Rubab to dismantle Pakistan’s batting lineup.
Her spell strengthened India’s position throughout the chase and became one of the notable bowling performances in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup.
Young spinner Shri Charani also contributed significantly, taking three wickets for 21 runs in four overs. Shafali Verma added one wicket as Pakistan were bowled out for 106.
