Smriti Mandhana scored a fluent 68 and Deepti Sharma claimed a career-best five-wicket haul as India started their Women's T20 World Cup campaign with a commanding 64-run victory over Pakistan at Edgbaston on Sunday.
Mandhana's 68 off 44 balls, laced with nine fours and two sixes, and Richa Ghosh's explosive 34 from 17 deliveries powered India to 170 for 6 after they were asked to bat first. In response, Pakistan were bowled out for 106 in 17 overs, with Muneeba Ali's 41 off 35 balls being the only notable contribution.
Deepti Sharma was the star with the ball, returning figures of 5 for 10 in her four overs. The off-spinner also became the highest wicket-taker in Women's T20 Internationals during the match. Left-arm spinner Shree Charani provided excellent support with 3 for 21, while Shafali Verma chipped in with a wicket.
Pakistan never managed to build any momentum in their chase. Muneeba Ali looked comfortable before her innings was ended by a direct-hit run out from Deepti Sharma.
The match was played on a used Edgbaston surface, and India's spinners made full use of the conditions. The pitch offered turn and grip, making strokeplay difficult for the Pakistan batters.
Earlier, India found themselves in trouble at 18 for 2 after losing Shafali Verma for 6 and Jemimah Rodrigues for 1. Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur then steadied the innings with a crucial 91-run partnership for the third wicket.
India were 30 for 2 at the end of the Powerplay before the pair accelerated. Mandhana reached her half-century in 34 balls and finished with nine fours and two sixes. She was given two reprieves during her innings—first dropped at mid-off off Tasmia Rubab's bowling, and later another chance went down at wide long-on off Sadia Iqbal, with the ball slipping through the fielder's hands for six.
Mandhana's innings ended when she miscued a shot off Rameen Shamim and Pakistan captain Fatima Sana completed the catch. Harmanpreet contributed 36 off 35 balls before falling to Sana, while Bharti Fulmali was stumped for a duck soon after Mandhana's dismissal.
Richa Ghosh then provided the late push with a quickfire 34. India collected 23 runs from the penultimate over bowled by Rubab, helping them reach 170 for 6. For Pakistan, Sadia Iqbal picked up 2 for 41 and Fatima Sana returned figures of 2 for 33.
India's bowlers then took control, with Deepti leading the way as Pakistan were dismissed for 106, handing India a comfortable victory in their tournament opener.
