India Crush Pakistan by 64 Runs in Women’s T20 World Cup Opener

launched their Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a thumping, 64-run win against neighbours Pakistan at a packed Edgbaston here on Sunday. The win was primarily made possible by an all-round performance from Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma.

India found themselves in a delicate position early on in the innings, having lost two wickets with just 18 runs on the board. Mandhana stood up when required with a fighting 68-run innings, holding her end up and taking her side through troubled waters. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur was also a valuable ally, making 36 as the two steadied the innings.

Wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh provided an invaluable boost to India’s batting attack towards the end of the innings. Ghosh showed intent to score and blasted 34 off mere 17 balls, comprising boundaries and a six. Her late onslaught pushed India to 170 for 6, their highest T20 World Cup score against Pakistan.

Pakistan got off to a good start in their chase with openers Muneeba Ali and Gul Feroza accumulating some runs at the top. When Pakistan struggled in the chase, Muneeba was looking in full form smashing 41 runs and kept Pakistan alive at that moment. But then the India bowlers soon seized charge of the match.

It was Deepti Sharma who turned out to be the match-winner. Firstly she shattered the opening partnership and then had Muneeba run out with a direct-hit. Pakistan’s middle order struggled against her accurate bowling and intelligent variations throughout the inning. Deepti ended up with impressive figures of 5 wickets for only 10 runs and became the highest wicket-taker in women’s T20 internationals.

Winnings T20 World Cup 2023: India bounced back to the top of the group behind young Spinner Shree Charani won, who pecked in with 3 wickets for 21 runs; that helped tighten India’s grip on the game this time round. Pakistan never recovered from losing wickets on a regular basis and was eventually bowled out for 106 in the 17th over.

The convincing victory saw India registering two points in their favour as well and also getting a massive net run rate boost. Deepti Sharma was the unanimous Player of the Match for her match-winning all-round performance.