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In a commanding start to their ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, India Women defeated arch-rivals Pakistan by 64 runs. While Deepti Sharma starred with a career-best five-wicket haul and Smriti Mandhana notched a fluent half-century, opener Shafali Verma created history by hitting a six off the very first ball of the tournament, marking a rare and unprecedented feat in Women's T20 World Cup cricket. Verma also contributed with a crucial wicket during Pakistan's chase.
In-Depth Analysis
The Indian Women's cricket team commenced their ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 journey with an emphatic 64-run victory over Pakistan Women in a high-octane Group 1 fixture held at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on Sunday, June 14, 2026. This decisive win marked India's 14th triumph over Pakistan in 17 T20 International encounters, further extending their unbeaten streak against their rivals to four games.
Electing to bat first after captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss, India posted a challenging total of 170 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs. The innings began with a historic moment as young opener Shafali Verma etched her name into the record books. Facing Pakistan's left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal, Verma launched the very first ball of the match over wide mid-off for a magnificent six. This made her the first player in the history of the Women's T20 World Cup to achieve this unprecedented feat. Despite this explosive start, Verma's stay at the crease was short-lived, as she was dismissed by Iqbal on the fifth ball of the same over, caught behind after scoring 6 runs off 5 balls.
India faced a momentary wobble when Jemimah Rodrigues also departed cheaply, leaving them at 18 for 2 in the fourth over. However, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, alongside skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, meticulously rebuilt the innings. Mandhana played a splendid knock, reaching her 34th T20 International fifty in just 34 balls and eventually top-scoring with a fluent 68 runs off 44 deliveries, embellished with 9 fours and 2 sixes. The duo forged a crucial 91-run partnership for the third wicket, steering India out of trouble. A late surge by Richa Ghosh, who hammered a quick-fire 34 runs off just 17 balls including 5 fours and 1 six, propelled India to a competitive total of 170.
In response, Pakistan's chase never truly gained momentum against a disciplined Indian bowling attack, particularly the spinners who wreaked havoc. They were eventually bowled out for 106 runs in 17 overs, handing India a comprehensive 64-run victory. The star of the bowling attack was undoubtedly Deepti Sharma, who delivered a record-breaking performance. She claimed a sensational five-wicket haul for just 10 runs, surpassing her previous best figures in the format (5/19). This outstanding spell also saw Deepti Sharma become the leading wicket-taker in Women's T20I cricket, amassing 166 scalps in 145 matches, surpassing Thailand's Thipatcha Putthawong.
While Deepti Sharma dominated the headlines, Shafali Verma's all-round contribution extended beyond her historic opening six. She also played a significant role with the ball, picking up a crucial wicket. During Pakistan's innings, Verma bowled four overs, conceding 22 runs, and notably dismissed Pakistan's captain Fatima Sana for a duck, catching her at cover. This dismissal was pivotal in further stifling Pakistan's chances, highlighting Verma's ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game. Other Indian spinners, including Shree Charani, also made their mark, claiming three wickets for 21 runs. The comprehensive nature of India's victory, spearheaded by Mandhana's batting brilliance and Sharma's exceptional bowling, with a touch of historic flair from Verma, set a strong precedent for their campaign in the tournament. India's next match is scheduled against the Netherlands at Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds.
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