India began their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign with a comprehensive 64-run victory over Pakistan at Edgbaston. Deepti Sharma starred with the ball, taking five wickets for just 10 runs, while Smriti Mandhana set the platform with a fluent 68 off 44 balls.
Mandhana leads the charge
After being put in to bat, India found themselves in early trouble at 18 for two inside four overs. Shafali Verma hit a first-ball six but was dismissed soon after, and Jemimah Rodrigues made just one. However, Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur rebuilt the innings with a 91-run partnership off 11 overs. Mandhana was particularly aggressive, reaching her half-century off 34 balls. She was dropped twice, once on 27 and later in the deep, but Pakistan could not capitalise.
Harmanpreet fell for 36, but Richa Ghosh provided a late flourish with a 17-ball 34, including 20 runs off four consecutive deliveries from Tasmia Rubab. India finished on 170 for six.
Sharma spins a web
Pakistan started strongly in their chase, reaching 52 for one at the end of the powerplay. Muneeba Ali swept aggressively for 41. But Deepti Sharma then took control, bowling tight off-breaks and building pressure. She dismissed key batters and ran out Muneeba as Pakistan slumped to 79 for six. Sharma finished with figures of 5-10, her best in T20Is, as Pakistan were bowled out for 106.
Political undertones
The match was played against a backdrop of political tension. There were no handshakes between the teams before or after the game, a continuation of a trend that began after the men’s Asia Cup last year. India captain Harmanpreet Kaur said before the match, “We are here for cricket, and we only talk about cricket.”
The victory was India’s fourth consecutive T20I win over Pakistan. India, the 50-over world champions, are backed by the Women’s Premier League, while Pakistan have never advanced past the group stage in the T20 World Cup.
