India made a perfect start to their Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a dominant 64-run victory over Pakistan in a Group 1 clash at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on Sunday. The win extended India’s impressive record against their arch-rivals to 14 victories in 17 Women’s T20Is and marked their fourth consecutive triumph over Pakistan.
Batting first, India overcame an early collapse to post a competitive 170/6 in 20 overs. The innings was led by vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, who scored a brilliant 68 off 44 balls, while Richa Ghosh added a quick 34 from 17 deliveries to boost the total in the final overs.
India had a shaky start after losing Shafali Varma and Jemimah Rodrigues early, slipping to 18/2. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Mandhana then rebuilt the innings with a crucial partnership. Mandhana registered her 34th T20I half-century, while Harmanpreet contributed 36 runs and surpassed Mithali Raj to become India’s highest run-scorer in Women’s T20 World Cup history.
Pakistan started their chase positively and reached 52/1 in the powerplay, their highest T20 powerplay score against India. Opener Muneeba Ali looked dangerous, but India’s spin attack turned the game around.
Deepti Sharma delivered a match-winning performance, starring with both ball and in the field. She claimed 5/10, the best bowling figures by an Indian woman in T20Is, and also produced a direct-hit run-out of Muneeba Ali. The five-wicket haul helped Deepti become the highest wicket-taker in Women’s T20I history with 166 wickets, overtaking Thailand’s Thipatcha Putthawong.
India’s spinners dominated throughout the innings, taking nine of Pakistan’s 10 wickets and never allowing the chase to gain momentum. Pakistan were eventually bowled out well short of the target as India secured a comprehensive 64-run victory.
India’s next challenge in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be against the Netherlands at Headingley in Leeds on Wednesday, while Pakistan will look to regroup and keep their campaign alive after a disappointing start.