India Women started their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 journey with a commanding 64-run victory over Pakistan Women at Edgbaston, Birmingham. In front of a packed crowd, India produced a complete team performance, recovering from early setbacks with the bat before dismantling Pakistan’s batting lineup through disciplined bowling.
After posting 170/6 in 20 overs, India bowled Pakistan out for 106 in just 17 overs to register one of their most convincing victories against their arch-rivals on the global stage.
Match Summary
| Match | India Women vs Pakistan Women |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Match | Group A, Match 6 |
| Venue | Edgbaston, Birmingham |
| Toss | India Women won and elected to bat |
| India Score | 170/6 (20 Overs) |
| Pakistan Score | 106 All Out (17 Overs) |
| Result | India Women won by 64 runs |
| Player of the Match Contender | Smriti Mandhana |
Smriti Mandhana Changes the Game With Aggressive Counterattack
Pakistan made an excellent start after India chose to bat first.
Shafali Verma departed in the first over, while Jemimah Rodrigues also failed to settle. India found themselves under pressure with Pakistan’s bowlers maintaining tight lines and making scoring difficult.
However, Smriti Mandhana refused to let Pakistan dictate the pace of the game.
The left-hander launched a brilliant counterattack that completely shifted momentum. Instead of targeting the larger leg-side boundary, Mandhana repeatedly created room for herself and attacked through the off side. Her fearless inside-out strokeplay unsettled Pakistan’s bowling plans and forced field changes.
A dropped chance early in her innings proved costly as Mandhana made Pakistan pay heavily.
Smriti Mandhana’s Match-Winning Knock
| Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68 | 44 | 9 | 2 | 154.55 |
Her 91-run partnership with captain Harmanpreet Kaur transformed India’s innings and laid the platform for a competitive total.
Harmanpreet Kaur Anchors the Innings
While Mandhana attacked, Harmanpreet Kaur played the perfect supporting role.
The Indian captain showed patience during the difficult phase and rotated strike effectively before accelerating when required.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s Contribution
| Runs | Balls | Fours |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | 35 | 4 |
Her partnership with Mandhana helped India recover from 18/2 and regain control of the contest.
Richa Ghosh Provides the Perfect Finish
Pakistan briefly fought back after dismissing Mandhana and reducing India to 123/5.
But Richa Ghosh once again demonstrated why she is one of the most dangerous finishers in women’s cricket.
She attacked from the start and smashed boundaries all around the ground during the death overs.
Richa Ghosh’s Innings
| Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 17 | 5 | 1 | 200.00 |
Her explosive finish helped India add crucial runs and push the total to 170.
Pakistan’s Chase Starts Brightly Before Collapse
Pakistan began the chase positively.
Openers Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza showed intent and kept the required run rate under control. Pakistan reached 52/1 at the end of the Powerplay and appeared capable of challenging India’s total.
At that stage, the match looked evenly balanced.
However, once Ayesha Zafar departed after a promising start, Pakistan’s innings quickly lost momentum.
Dot balls increased, partnerships dried up, and the required run rate climbed steadily.
Muneeba Ali Fights Alone
Among Pakistan’s batters, Muneeba Ali stood out with a determined innings.
Pakistan’s Top Scorer
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Muneeba Ali | 41 | 35 |
Unfortunately for Pakistan, she received little support from the middle order as wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.
Deepti Sharma Produces Bowling Masterclass
The turning point of Pakistan’s innings came during the middle overs when Deepti Sharma took complete control.
She removed key batters, built pressure through economical bowling, and prevented Pakistan from building any meaningful partnerships.
Deepti Sharma’s Match Figures
| Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 10 | 5 | 2.50 |
Her spell effectively ended Pakistan’s hopes of chasing the target.
Shree Charani Provides Perfect Support
While Deepti dominated one end, Shree Charani played an equally important role.
Her wickets disrupted Pakistan’s middle order and ensured India maintained pressure throughout the chase.
Shree Charani’s Figures
| Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 21 | 3 |
Together, Deepti and Charani claimed eight wickets and completely changed the direction of the game.
Key Performers
India Women
| Player | Performance |
|---|---|
| Smriti Mandhana | 68 (44) |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | 36 (35) |
| Richa Ghosh | 34 (17) |
| Deepti Sharma | 5/10 |
| Shree Charani | 3/21 |
Pakistan Women
| Player | Performance |
|---|---|
| Muneeba Ali | 41 (35) |
| Fatima Sana | 2 wickets |
| Sadia Iqbal | 2 wickets |
How the Match Was Won
India’s Key Advantages
- Mandhana’s aggressive approach shifted momentum.
- Harmanpreet stabilized the innings after early wickets.
- Richa Ghosh’s late assault boosted the total.
- Deepti Sharma’s five-wicket haul broke Pakistan’s chase.
- Shree Charani maintained pressure from the opposite end.
- India fielded sharply and converted chances consistently.
Pakistan’s Biggest Problems
- Lost momentum after a strong Powerplay.
- Middle-order collapse under pressure.
- Failed to build partnerships during the chase.
- Allowed India to score freely during crucial middle overs.
- Could not recover after Mandhana’s counterattack.
What This Win Means for India
The emphatic victory gives India an ideal start in Group A and provides a significant boost to their net run rate. More importantly, the team showed resilience after early batting setbacks and displayed the depth that could make them one of the strongest contenders in the tournament.
The combination of experienced stars and impactful performances from multiple departments will give India plenty of confidence heading into the remainder of the competition.
Final Verdict
For nearly half the contest, Pakistan challenged India and even looked capable of controlling the match. However, once Smriti Mandhana launched her counterattack, the momentum shifted decisively.
India capitalized on every opportunity, built a strong total, and then delivered a clinical bowling performance led by Deepti Sharma. The result was a dominant 64-run victory that underlined India’s quality and sent a strong message to the rest of the tournament.
FAQs
Who won the India Women vs Pakistan Women match in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026?
India Women defeated Pakistan Women by 64 runs at Edgbaston.
Who scored the most runs in the match?
Smriti Mandhana was the highest scorer with 68 runs from 44 balls.
Who was the best bowler in the match?
Deepti Sharma was the standout bowler, taking 5 wickets for just 10 runs.
What score did India Women post?
India Women scored 170/6 in their 20 overs.
How many runs did Pakistan Women score?
Pakistan Women were bowled out for 106 in 17 overs.
What was the turning point of the match?
Smriti Mandhana’s aggressive middle-over counterattack and Deepti Sharma’s five-wicket spell were the biggest turning points.
