India begin Women’s T20 World Cup with 64-run win over Pakistan

India opened the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup with a 64-run win over Pakistan at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Sunday, successfully defending a target of 171. Deepti Sharma starred with 5 for 10 and a direct-hit run out that removed Pakistan’s top scorer as India controlled the chase from the middle overs onward. Smriti Mandhana’s 50 from 34 balls anchored India’s innings before a late surge pushed the total to 170 all out.

Pakistan were dismissed for 106, with Sharma taking the last three wickets in five balls to finish the match. Officials described the crowd as a sellout and heavily partisan. The result extended India’s unbeaten record against Pakistan in Women’s World Cup meetings across the T20 and ODI formats, according to the report.

Sharma’s five-wicket haul took her to 166 career T20 wickets, the report said, making her the leading wicket-taker in women’s T20 cricket. India also had support for the attack, with Shree Charani returning figures of 3 for 21.

India’s innings began cautiously in the power play before Mandhana capitalised after being dropped on 27. She needed only another 10 balls to reach her half-century, but India then slipped into a brief wobble after her dismissal, including the fall of captain Harmanpreet Kaur for 36.

Richa Ghosh provided the finishing burst with 34 off 17 balls as India accelerated late to reach 170 all out. Pakistan were set 171 to win, a chase that quickly became steep as wickets fell and the required rate climbed.

Sharma’s direct hit shifts the momentum in Pakistan’s chase

Pakistan started their chase with intent, but India’s bowlers tightened through the middle overs. Opener Muneeba Ali top-scored with 41 but was run out when Sharma hit the stumps directly from the field, a key turning point in the 11th over.

When Pakistan captain Fatima Sana fell in the next over with the score at 77 for 5, the chase unravelled further. Sharma then closed the match with a late burst, taking the final three wickets in five balls as Pakistan were bowled out for 106.

Bangladesh complete record World Cup chase on the same day

In the other match referenced from the same day at Edgbaston, Bangladesh completed a record Women’s T20 World Cup chase for the team. Chasing the Netherlands’ 139 for 8, Bangladesh reached 141 for 4 with five balls remaining, improving on their previous highest successful pursuit at the tournament, according to the report.

Juairiya Ferdous made 50 off 33 balls to set the platform before an unbeaten partnership between Sharmin Akhter and Shorna Akter carried Bangladesh over the line. Netherlands captain Babette de Leede hit 50 from 45 balls but was run out late in the innings.

The tournament continues on Tuesday, with defending champions New Zealand facing Sri Lanka and hosts England playing Ireland.