Mohammad Rizwan
Birmingham (UK): Pakistan women’s cricket team began their ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a 64-run defeat to India women in their Group 1 opener here at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Sunday afternoon.
The Fatima Sana-led team will now face South Africa at the same venue on Wednesday under the lights with the first ball set to be bowled at 6.30pm local time.
Set 171 to win, Pakistan were bowled out for 106 in 17 overs. Opening batter Muneeba Ali Siddiqui top-scored with 41 off 35 balls, including five fours while also adding 38 for the first wicket with Gull Feroza, who made 12 off nine.
After Gull fell, India picked up wickets came at regular intervals. Ayesha Zafar (12) and Saira Jabeen (2) departed to leave their side 58 for three, while Muneeba got run-out in the 11th over with the score on 75 for four.
Aliya Riaz contributed 18 off 17 balls hitting one four. Off-spinner Deepti Sharma was the most successful bowler with five for 10 from her four overs, while Shree Charani took three for 21.
Earlier, after being asked to field, Pakistan reduced India to 18 for two in 3.2 overs with Sadia Iqbal dismissing opening batter Shafali Verma (6) in the first over and T20 World Cup debutant Tasmia Rubab accounting for Jemimah Rodrigues (1) two balls into the fourth over.
Smriti Mandhana then anchored the innings with 68 off 44 balls, striking nine fours and two sixes while adding 91 for the third wicket with captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who made 36.
Richa Ghosh provided the late momentum with 34 off 17 balls to lift India to 170 for six before being castled by Fatima as she became the first Pakistan pacer to snap half-century of scalps in women’s T20Is. Sadia Iqbal and Fatima took two for 41 and two for 33, respectively.
Scores:
India 170-6, 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 68, Harmanpreet Kaur 36, Richa Ghosh 34; Fatima Sana 2-33, Sadia Iqbal 2-41)
Pakistan 106 all out, 17 overs (Muneeba Ali Siddiqui 41, Aliya Riaz 18; Deepti Sharma 5-10, Shree Charani 3-21)
Player of the match: Deepti Sharma (India)
Pakistan's fixtures at ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026:
14 June – India beat Pakistan by 64 runs
17 June v South Africa, Edgbaston, Birmingham – 10.30pm PKT | 6.30pm local time
20 June v Bangladesh, Hampshire Bowl, Southampton – 6.30pm PKT | 2.30pm local time
23 June v Australia, Headingley, Leeds – 10.30pm PKT | 6.30pm local time
27 June v Netherlands, Bristol County Ground, Bristol – 2.30pm PKT | 10.30am local time
