Overview
- India opened their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign with a 64-run victory over Pakistan on Sunday, defending a total of 170 at a sell-out Edgbaston crowd of 18,814.
- Deepti Sharma took five wickets for 10 runs and completed a direct-hit run out of Muneeba Ali, finishing the innings by taking three wickets in the 17th over to seal the win.
- Smriti Mandhana anchored the innings with 68 while Richa Ghosh’s late 34 pushed India to 170/6, giving the bowlers a challenging target to defend.
- Spin dominated the chase as India’s spinners claimed nine of Pakistan’s ten wickets, with Sree Charani supporting with 3-21 and the team equalling a record for spinner wickets in a women’s T20 World Cup group game.
- Despite the strong start, commentators raised concerns about India’s lack of middle-order power hitting against heavy-hitting teams and India now turn to a Group A match with the Netherlands next.