Deepti Sharma stars as India crush Pakistan in Women's T20 World Cup opener

By SABC Sport
14th June 2026

Deepti Sharma produced a record-breaking display with the ball after Smriti Mandhana's half-century as India launched their Women's T20 World Cup campaign with a commanding 64-run victory over Pakistan in Birmingham.

India recovered from an early wobble to post 170-6 before bowling Pakistan out for 106 in 17 overs. Sharma claimed 5-10 to register the best bowling figures in women's T20 internationals and become the format's leading wicket-taker.

Pakistan's chase began brightly, with Muneeba Ali leading an aggressive start, but Sharma turned the game decisively. After removing Gull Feroza and Ayesha Zafar, she then produced a direct-hit run-out to dismiss Muneeba, who had survived two dropped catches.

That breakthrough triggered a collapse as Pakistan slipped from 75-4 to 91-7 before losing their final seven wickets for 31 runs. Sharma returned to take the last three wickets, while World Cup debutant Sree Charani chipped in with 3-21.

Earlier, India had been reduced to 18-2 inside four overs after Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues departed cheaply.

Mandhana steadied the innings and made Pakistan pay for two dropped chances. The left-hander shared a 91-run stand with captain Harmanpreet Kaur, bringing up a 34-ball fifty before eventually falling for 68.

Harmanpreet added 36, but Pakistan briefly regained control when both set batters departed in quick succession and Bharti Fulmali was stumped. India then endured a 21-ball stretch without a boundary.

Richa Ghosh ensured the innings ended in style. The wicketkeeper-batter smashed 34 from 17 balls, including a brutal assault on Tasmia Rubab that yielded 23 runs in the penultimate over.

Ghosh and Sharma helped India collect 38 runs from the final two overs, lifting the total to 170-6 - India's highest score against Pakistan in a Women's T20 World Cup.

Pakistan's strong start ultimately counted for little as India's spinners tightened their grip through the middle overs. Sharma's historic five-wicket haul completed a dominant win and handed India an early boost in both confidence and net run rate in a highly competitive group.