📅 June 14, 2026 | By Pulse India News Desk
India Women opened their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a commanding 64-run win over Pakistan Women at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
India posted 170/6 in 20 overs, built around Smriti Mandhana’s classy 68 off 44 balls, Harmanpreet Kaur’s steady 36 off 35 balls and Richa Ghosh’s explosive 34 off 17 balls at the death.
Pakistan started the chase strongly and actually outplayed India in the Powerplay, reaching 52/1. But India’s spinners took complete control after that, with Deepti Sharma producing career-best figures of 5/10 to bowl Pakistan out for 106 in 17 overs.
India Women: 170/6 in 20 overs
Pakistan Women: 106 all out in 17 overs
Result: India Women won by 64 runs
Player of the Match: Deepti Sharma – 5/10 in 4 overs
📊 Match in Phases
| Phase | India Women | Pakistan Women | Key Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powerplay (1-6) | 38/2 | 52/1 | Pakistan started better, but India recovered after early wickets |
| Middle Overs (7-15) | 72/2 | 39/6 | Mandhana-Harmanpreet rebuilt India while Deepti and Charani choked Pakistan |
| Death Overs | 60/2 | 15/3 | Richa Ghosh powered India to 170 before Deepti finished Pakistan’s chase |
India won the toss and chose to bat first, but the start was far from ideal. Shafali Verma fell in the opening over for 6, and Jemimah Rodrigues struggled before being dismissed for 1. At 18/2, Pakistan had made the early breakthrough they wanted.
Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur then steadied the innings with a vital 91-run partnership. Mandhana was the aggressor, timing the ball beautifully and scoring 68 off 44 balls with 9 fours and 2 sixes.
Harmanpreet played the anchor role with 36 off 35 balls, ensuring India did not collapse after the early wickets. Even after both set batters departed, India found late momentum through Richa Ghosh.
Richa produced a brilliant finishing cameo, smashing 34 off just 17 balls with 5 fours and 1 six. Her assault helped India reach a strong 170/6, which looked above par at Edgbaston.
Pakistan’s chase began with real intent. Muneeba Ali attacked the Indian bowlers and was helped by a couple of fielding lapses. Pakistan reached 52/1 in the Powerplay, putting India under pressure.
But after the Powerplay, India completely changed the match with spin. Deepti Sharma gave India control, while Shree Charani supported brilliantly from the other end.
The decisive moment came when Deepti produced a rocket throw to run out Muneeba Ali for 41 off 35 balls. After that, Pakistan lost momentum and collapsed quickly.
Deepti finished with extraordinary figures of 4-0-10-5, while Shree Charani claimed 3/21. Pakistan were bowled out for 106 in 17 overs, handing India a convincing 64-run win.
🔥 Deepti Sharma: 5/10 in 4 overs – career-best spell and match-winning performance.
🔥 Smriti Mandhana: 68 off 44 balls – classy top-order knock after early pressure.
🔥 Richa Ghosh: 34 off 17 balls – explosive death-overs hitting at a strike rate of 200.
🔥 Shree Charani: 3/21 in 4 overs – excellent support spell through the middle overs.
🔥 Muneeba Ali: 41 off 35 balls – Pakistan’s best batter and Powerplay aggressor.
🔥 Harmanpreet Kaur: 36 off 35 balls – important rebuilding innings with Mandhana.
The biggest turning point was Deepti Sharma’s direct-hit run-out of Muneeba Ali.
Pakistan were still alive in the chase while Muneeba was batting. Once she was dismissed for 41, Pakistan lost control of the run chase and the Indian spinners took over completely.
From there, Deepti and Shree Charani ripped through the middle and lower order, turning a competitive chase into a one-sided Indian victory.
❌ Failed to capitalize after winning the Powerplay battle.
❌ Could not handle India’s spinners after the first six overs.
❌ Lost seven wickets for just 31 runs.
❌ No strong partnership after Muneeba Ali’s dismissal.
❌ Fatima Sana and the middle order failed under scoreboard pressure.
❌ Gave away 11 extras while bowling, including 10 wides.
Deepti Sharma delivered a complete match-winning performance for India.
Her spell of 5/10 in four overs was the best of her T20I career and completely destroyed Pakistan’s chase. She bowled with control, accuracy and intelligence, giving Pakistan no room to score freely.
Along with her five wickets, Deepti also produced the crucial direct-hit run-out of Muneeba Ali, which became the moment that turned the match decisively in India’s favour.
📌 India Women defeated Pakistan Women by 64 runs.
📌 Deepti Sharma recorded career-best figures of 5/10.
📌 Smriti Mandhana scored 68 off 44 balls.
📌 Richa Ghosh smashed 34 off 17 balls at a strike rate of 200.
📌 Mandhana and Harmanpreet added 91 runs for the third wicket.
📌 Pakistan scored 52/1 in the Powerplay but were bowled out for 106.
📌 The attendance of 18,814 was the highest ever for a Women’s T20 World Cup group-stage match.
This was a statement win for India Women in one of the biggest fixtures of the tournament.
Pakistan started better with the ball and also dominated the chase early in the Powerplay, but India showed why they are among the strongest sides in the competition. Mandhana and Harmanpreet rebuilt the innings, Richa Ghosh gave the total a powerful finish, and Deepti Sharma produced a spell that Pakistan simply could not survive.
The match also showed India’s depth. Even after early batting setbacks and some fielding lapses, they found multiple match-winners across departments.
India will take huge confidence from this 64-run victory, while Pakistan must quickly recover after another one-sided defeat in a high-pressure World Cup clash.
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