Women’s T20 World Cup, IND vs PAK: India strangle Pakistan with spin to begin T20 World Cup with statement win

Brief Scores: India (170/6 in 20 ovs) beat Pakistan (106-all out in 17 ovs) by 64 runs at Edgbaston in Birmingham

IND vs PAK: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD

Indian spinners applied a ruthless spin choke to set up a commanding 64-run win over Pakistan, marking a dominant start to their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign. On Sunday at Edgbaston in Birmingham, Smriti Mandhana provided the ideal platform with a classy half-century, before the spin duo of Deepti Sharma and Shree Charani turned the contest decisively in India’s favour, leaving Pakistan completely outplayed in familiar conditions.

In front of a record crowd of 18,814, the highest ever for a Women’s T20 World Cup group-stage fixture, Deepti Sharma produced a career-defining spell, picking up her second five-wicket haul in T20Is as Pakistan were bowled out for 106 in 17 overs. The all-rounder also became the leading wicket-taker in Women’s T20Is and registered the best bowling figures by an Indian in the format, surpassing Jhulan Goswami’s landmark.

India’s all-round performance underlined the growing gulf between the two sides, as the contest once again tilted firmly in India’s favour. With the victory, India moved within striking distance of Australia’s net run rate of 3.25 and will look to carry this momentum into their next fixture against the Netherlands on June 17.

PAKISTAN KEEP INDIA IN CHECK

Pakistan would have been delighted with their efforts in the powerplay after striking twice and preventing India from gaining complete control in the early overs. Although Shafali Verma got India off to a sensational start by smashing the very first ball of the innings for a six, Pakistan hit back immediately through Sadia Iqbal. The left-arm spinner responded superbly to dismiss the aggressive opener in the same over, handing her side an early breakthrough.

Pakistan continued to build pressure through disciplined bowling. Captain Fatima Sana led from the front with a tidy spell, while the fielders matched the intensity in the ring. The pressure paid off when Tasmia Rubab justified her selection with the prized wicket of Jemimah Rodrigues, leaving India two down inside the powerplay.

However, Smriti Mandhana ensured Pakistan never tightened their grip completely. The elegant left-hander kept the scoreboard moving with intelligent strike rotation and timely boundaries.

She took on Sadia Iqbal with a pair of fours before punishing Rameen Shamim with a trademark sweep and a crisp pull shot. Mandhana’s composure under pressure proved invaluable as she steadied the innings and ensured India remained within touching distance despite the early setbacks.

HARMAN, SMRITI LEAD INDIA’S RECOVERY

After a jittery powerplay, India staged a recovery through Mandhana and Harmanpreet. Rameen Shamim was particularly impressive after the powerplay, conceding just three runs in a tight over and not allowing the batters to break free, but Mandhana and Harmanpreet didn’t let the pressure build.

Mandhana rode her luck during a dramatic passage of play. She was dropped on 27 at mid-off when Aliya Riaz misjudged a swirling chance, and later survived again on 55 when Saira Jabeen dropped a catch at deep mid-wicket that even went for six. A risky second run also saw Tasmia Rubab miss a direct hit, adding to Pakistan’s frustration. Each reprieve allowed Mandhana to settle and grow in confidence.

Harmanpreet then shifted gears against Nashra Sandhu, bringing up a fluent 50-run partnership off 45 balls. She added classy boundaries, including a drive and a swept four, giving India crucial momentum. Together, they stitched a vital 91-run stand for the third wicket, with Mandhana reaching a sparkling fifty off 34 balls. Mandhana eventually ran out of luck and departed for 68 off 44, as skipper Fatima Sana struck to break a dangerous partnership.

RICHA TAKES CHARGE

India’s innings went through a tense middle-overs phase where momentum completely slipped away after a strong start. Following early wickets, the Harmanpreet–Mandhana partnership briefly steadied things, but once Harmanpreet fell for 36, India suddenly lost control.

Pakistan tightened the screws brilliantly, with Nashra Sandhu and the spin unit choking the scoring for over three overs without a boundary. But just when India appeared to be grinding to a halt, Richa Ghosh walked in and completely changed the tempo of the innings.

Under pressure, she counterattacked fearlessly, refusing to be bogged down by tight lines and field placements. Her intent immediately shifted the momentum, breaking Pakistan’s rhythm and forcing them onto the defensive.

The turning point came at the death when Richa unleashed a devastating assault on Tasmia Rubab, smashing 23 runs in the 19th over, including a towering six and multiple boundaries. Although she eventually fell for 34 off 17 to Fatima Sana, her explosive cameo reignited India’s innings and ensured they finished with a competitive total after a dramatic swing in momentum.

MUNEEBA GIVES PAKISTAN STRONG START

Pakistan made a strong and confident start to their chase, showing positive intent from the outset and putting India under early pressure. Muneeba Ali looked fluent and composed, finding gaps with ease through the off side, while Gull Feroza complemented her with attacking strokes that kept the scoreboard ticking at a healthy rate.

The pair capitalised on loose deliveries and briefly took control, forcing India’s bowlers to search for answers despite a few disciplined overs from Arundhati Reddy. Muneeba Ali had a couple of reprieves, including an early drop by Richa Ghosh and another missed chance by Arundhati Reddy, and those missed opportunities allowed Pakistan to build momentum and race to a strong opening stand of 38 runs.

However, Deepti Sharma stepped up at a crucial stage, breaking the dangerous partnership just as it threatened to run away. Feroza fell attempting an ambitious reverse sweep, only to find the fielder at backward point.

Pakistan went on to score 51 runs in the powerplay, their best powerplay against India in Women’s T20I history. But that breakthrough from Deepti shifted the tone, giving India much-needed relief and slowing Pakistan’s early charge in a high-pressure chase.

SPIN TO WIN

After the powerplay, India tightened their grip on Pakistan with spin as the visitors collapsed, losing their last 10 wickets for 68 runs. Deepti Sharma, Shree Charani and Shafali Verma orchestrated a ruthless spin stranglehold that completely dismantled Pakistan’s chase. The trio gradually tightened the noose, denying width, varying pace cleverly and forcing constant errors under sustained pressure.

Deepti led the charge with relentless accuracy and sharp game awareness, breaking partnerships at crucial moments. She lured Ayesha Zafar into a false shot, with Mandhana taking a sharp catch at short fine leg, and later produced a stunning direct hit to remove the set batter Muneeba Ali, who had fought hard for 41 off 35 balls. Her control and variations ensured Pakistan never settled.

Shree Charani complemented her perfectly, striking in her very first over to remove Saira Jabeen with drift and turn before striking again as the middle order crumbled. Shafali Verma then joined the attack, taking a key wicket as Fatima Sana fell for a duck, with Smriti Mandhana holding a sharp catch.

From a promising start, Pakistan completely unraveled as India’s spin trio delivered a clinical choke, triggering a dramatic collapse and guiding India to an incredible start to their campaign.

– Ends