India set 171-run target for Pakistan in Women’s T20 World Cup

Mandhana then anchored the innings with captain Harmanpreet Kaur

By Web Assistant On Jun 14, 2026

BIRMINGHAM (Web Desk) – A fighting half-century from Smriti Mandhana guided India women to a competitive total of 170/6 against Pakistan in their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 opener at Edgbaston on Sunday.

Batting first, India had a mixed start as Shafali Verma hit a six off the first ball but was dismissed in the same over by Sadia Iqbal, while Jemimah Rodrigues fell cheaply for one, leaving India under pressure at 18-2.

Mandhana then anchored the innings with captain Harmanpreet Kaur, as the duo stitched together a vital 91-run partnership that shifted momentum. They guided India past 50 in the ninth over and later crossed the 100-run mark with steady yet positive batting.

Mandhana scored a fluent 68 off 44 balls, hitting nine fours and two sixes to bring up her 34th T20I fifty before being dismissed by Rameen Shamim. Harmanpreet contributed 36 off 35 balls before falling to Fatima Sana.

Pakistan Women Begin World Cup Campaign Against India

In the closing overs, Richa Ghosh (34 off 17) and Deepti Sharma added valuable runs with aggressive batting, helping India push their total beyond 150. For Pakistan, Sadia Iqbal and Fatima Sana claimed two wickets each.

Squads

Pakistan: Fatima Sana (c), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Pervaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan.

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vice-capt), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Nandani Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav.

Head-to-Head Record

India have traditionally dominated the rivalry, winning 13 of the 16 T20 internationals played between the two sides. Pakistan have secured three victories.

In ICC Women’s T20 World Cup history as well, India hold the upper hand with six wins, while Pakistan have won two matches.