BIRMINGHAM – India defeated Pakistan by 64 runs in their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 opener at Edgbaston on Sunday.
Batting first, India posted a competitive total of 170/6, powered by a fighting half-century from Smriti Mandhana.
In reply, Pakistan were bowled out for 106, with Muneeba Ali top-scoring with 41 runs. Deepti Sharma starred with the ball, claiming a brilliant five-wicket haul.
India had a shaky start as Shafali Verma smashed a six off the first ball but was dismissed in the same over by Sadia Iqbal, while Jemimah Rodrigues fell early for just one, leaving India struggling at 18-2.
Mandhana then anchored the innings with captain Harmanpreet Kaur, as the pair built a crucial 91-run partnership to revive the innings. Mandhana scored a fluent 68 off 44 balls, while Harmanpreet made 36 off 35 before being dismissed by Fatima Sana.
In the final overs, Richa Ghosh (34 off 17) and Deepti Sharma added quick runs to push India beyond 170. For Pakistan, Sadia Iqbal and Fatima Sana picked up two wickets each.
Squads
Pakistan: Fatima Sana (c), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Pervaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan.
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vice-capt), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Nandani Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav.
Head-to-Head Record
India have traditionally dominated the rivalry, winning 13 of the 16 T20 internationals played between the two sides. Pakistan have secured three victories.
In ICC Women’s T20 World Cup history as well, India hold the upper hand with six wins, while Pakistan have won two matches.
