Birmingham, June 14, 2026: Opener Smriti Mandhana led India’s batting charge with a fluent half-century as the side posted a competitive 170-6 against Pakistan in their opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Edgbaston on Sunday.
Batting first in the group-stage clash of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, India recovered from an early collapse to build a strong total, driven by a key partnership between Mandhana and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur.
India’s innings began explosively when Shafali Verma struck a six off the first delivery, but she was dismissed in the same over by Pakistan spinner Sadia Iqbal, giving Pakistan an early breakthrough.
Jemimah Rodrigues, Jemimah Rodrigues, joined Mandhana at the crease but fell cheaply for just one run, leaving India under pressure at 18-2 inside four overs.
Mandhana, however, settled quickly and anchored the innings with controlled stroke play, gradually rebuilding momentum alongside Harmanpreet Kaur. The pair took India past the 50-run mark in the ninth over.
The Indian vice-captain brought up her 34th T20I fifty, scoring a well-composed 68 off 44 balls with nine boundaries and two sixes before being dismissed by Rameen Shamim, ending a 91-run partnership that had steadied India’s innings.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur contributed a solid 36 off 35 deliveries, including four boundaries, before being removed by Pakistan captain Fatima Sana.
Pakistan continued to apply pressure as Sadia Iqbal struck again, removing Bharti Fulmali via stumping to leave India struggling at 110-4 in 14.2 overs.
In the death overs, wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma added valuable runs, with Sharma accelerating the scoring through a series of boundaries.
Fatima Sana bowled the final over, conceding 14 runs while also dismissing Richa Ghosh, who played a brisk 34 off just 17 balls, featuring five fours and a six. Deepti Sharma remained unbeaten on 12 as India closed at 170-6 in 20 overs.
For Pakistan, Sadia Iqbal and Fatima Sana claimed two wickets each, while Tasmia Rubab and Rameen Shamim picked up one wicket apiece in a disciplined bowling effort.
