Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: India Women records created in the IND-W vs PAK-W

The Indian women's team made a brilliant start to their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign by defeating arch-rivals Pakistan by 64 runs. In the match played in Birmingham, India defeated Pakistan for the seventh time on the Women’s T20 World Cup stage, powered by Smriti Mandhana’s magnificent 68 runs and Deepti Sharma’s five-wicket haul.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, India got off to a poor start, losing their first two wickets—Shafali Verma (6) and Jemimah Rodrigues (1)—with just 18 runs on the board. However, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana (68 off 44 balls) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (36 off 35) steadied the ship by stitching together a 91-run partnership for the third wicket. Finally, explosive batting from Richa Ghosh (34 off 17) helped India post a formidable total of 170/6. In response, Muneeba Ali (41) and Gull Feroza gave Pakistan a solid opening stand of 38 runs; however, after the first wicket fell, Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals and were bowled out for 106. For India, Deepti Sharma claimed five wickets and Shree Charani took three. Deepti Sharma was named Player of the Match, who claimed her second T20I fifer. She expressed happiness at the support Team India received from the fans.

"That is what we want in every game, that they keep coming and supporting. And especially I wanted to mention Smriti and Harry Di's partnership (of 91 runs for the third wicket). From there, the course of the game changed," she added.

Matches between India and Pakistan are always special, whether in men's or women's cricket. A massive crowd of 18,814 turned up in this high-octane clash, the highest in a women's T20 World Cup group stage game ever. The match unfolded much as everyone had expected. Just as Harmanpreet Kaur had confirmed beforehand, there was no handshake with the Pakistani players—and that is exactly what happened. There was no handshake with the Pakistan team at the toss, nor was there one after India won the match.

This victory marks India's fifth-largest win in the Women’s T20 World Cup and their biggest victory over Pakistan in terms of runs.

Harmanpreet Kaur’s side is in Group A along with Pakistan, Australia, South Africa, the Netherlands, and Bangladesh.  Their spot in the semifinals will be assured if they win four of their five games. India has started their campaign with a huge win. On the other side, Australia defeated South Africa in their opening game, while Bangladesh beat the Netherlands. 

Anything can happen in cricket, and on their day, any mighty team can defeat a strong opponent; however, considering recent form, the India women will need to beat either South Africa or Australia to secure a spot in the semi-finals. If India succeeds in defeating South Africa, following their win against the Netherlands, qualification will be all but assured. South Africa has already lost against Australia, which means the game against India will be a do-or-die contest for them. 

India Women will now face the Netherlands Women on June 17 at Headingley, Leeds, while Pakistan will take on South Africa on the same day at Edgbaston, Birmingham. After the Netherlands, India will take on SA on June 21, Bangladesh on June 25, and Australia on June 28.