India Thrashes Pakistan by 64 Runs in Women’s T20 World Cup
Text
India defeated Pakistan by 64 runs in the Women’s T20 World Cup at Edgbaston on June 15, 2026, with Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma leading the charge as Pakistan collapsed to 106 all out, according to match reports. The victory marked India’s strong start to the tournament, with key performances from its top-order batsmen and disciplined bowling.
Text
The match, held at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham, England, saw India post a competitive total of 170 runs for the loss of five wickets in their 20 overs. Mandhana, who scored 58 runs off 38 balls, and Sharma, who took 2/21 with her left-arm spin, were pivotal in restricting Pakistan’s innings. Pakistan’s batting lineup struggled against India’s tight bowling, with the team falling short of the target despite a brief resistance from Bismah Maroof, who scored 32 runs.
Text
India’s bowling attack, led by Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar, exploited the pitch conditions effectively, taking early wickets to derail Pakistan’s momentum. The visitors managed only 106 runs in 18.1 overs, with their highest partnership of 34 coming from Maroof and Nida Dar. Pakistan’s collapse was exacerbated by poor shot selection and unforced errors, according to analysts covering the match.
Text
The win extended India’s dominance over Pakistan in T20 internationals, a rivalry that has seen India secure 12 of their last 15 encounters. This victory also positioned India as a strong contender in the group stage, with their next match against Australia scheduled for June 18. Pakistan, meanwhile, will look to regroup ahead of their game against South Africa on June 17.
Text
Match officials highlighted the role of pitch conditions in India’s success. The Edgbaston pitch, described as “moderate” by the England and Wales Cricket Board, favored seam and spin bowlers, allowing India to capitalize on early wickets. “The pitch played true, and our bowlers executed their plans well,” said India’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, in post-match comments.
Text
Pakistan’s innings began with cautious batting, but a slow start to their chase left them needing 11 runs per over in the final stages. Key dismissals, including that of Maroof, who was caught at cover by a direct hit from Vastrakar, accelerated Pakistan’s decline. The team’s inability to rotate the strike effectively limited their scoring opportunities, according to match commentators.
Text
The result has drawn attention to India’s preparations for the tournament, which they last won in 2016. Head coach Ramesh Powar emphasized the team’s focus on consistency, stating, “We’ve worked on our death overs and fielding, and it’s paying off.” Pakistan’s coach, Moin Khan, acknowledged the need for adjustments, noting, “We’ll analyze the game and make changes for the next match.”
Text
The match also underscored the growing competitiveness of women’s T20 cricket, with both teams showcasing high-intensity play. India’s victory came amid a broader trend of increasing viewership for the sport, with the Women’s T20 World Cup attracting record audiences in recent years.
Text
As the tournament progresses, India’s performance will be closely watched, particularly in their upcoming clashes with traditional rivals Australia and England. Pakistan, having lost their opening match, will aim to bounce back against South Africa, a team they have historically struggled against in T20 formats.
Text
The match was officiated by a panel of umpires from the International Cricket Council, with no major controversies reported. The game’s result has already sparked discussions about the future of women’s cricket in the region, with calls for increased investment in grassroots programs to sustain the sport’s growth.