India’s women’s national cricket team launched their quest for a maiden global title in spectacular fashion, thrashing arch-rivals Pakistan by 64 runs in their opening group-stage match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. Playing in front of a heavily partisan, sellout crowd of 18,814 at the Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham—the highest-ever attendance for a standalone group-stage fixture in the tournament’s history—the Women in Blue dominated across all departments. After captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and elected to bat first, India laid down a marker by posting a highly imposing total of 170 for 6 on a track that demanded a mix of sheet-anchor discipline and explosive innovation.
The foundation of India’s robust innings was built by vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, who bounced back after a sluggish start to smash a magnificent 68 off 44 balls. Mandhana capitalised on early reprieves, combining forces with Harmanpreet Kaur (36) to anchor a crucial partnership that consistently rattled the Pakistani bowling attack. Following Mandhana’s departure to a fine catch by Fatima Sana, wicketkeeper-batsman Richa Ghosh injected pure late-innings momentum, lashing 34 off just 17 deliveries to ensure the total surged well beyond the psychological 150-run mark. Pakistan’s bowling response remained fragmented; while Sadia Iqbal and skipper Fatima Sana grabbed two wickets apiece, their primary lines were heavily punished during the death overs.
Pakistan’s chase began with intent but imploded spectacularly against India’s world-class spin web, buckling completely to be bowled out for 106 in the 17th over. Premier all-rounder Deepti Sharma delivered a career-defining spell, picking up a stunning 5 wickets for just 10 runs across her 4 overs to dismantle the spine of Pakistan’s middle and lower order. Sharma’s tactical Brilliance was on full display in the 11th over when she orchestrated a crucial direct-hit run-out of top-scorer Muneeba Ali (41), ending Pakistan’s last real fighting chance. Backed by an equally sharp spell from Shree Charani (3-21), Sharma swept through the tail by claiming the last three wickets in a single five-ball burst. The comprehensive victory places India in a formidable position early in Group 1, with the squad next scheduled to play the Netherlands at Headingley on June 17.
