India will commence their pursuit of a maiden ICC Women's T20 World Cup title when they take on arch-rivals Pakistan in the opening match of the 2026 edition on Sunday. Under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian team enters the tournament with high confidence after clinching the ODI World Cup last year and delivering impressive performances against Australia, England, and Sri Lanka in recent months.
Dominant Record Against Pakistan
The Women in Blue have dominated this rivalry in the shortest format, winning 13 of the 16 T20 Internationals played between the two sides. Their most recent encounter was in the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup in Dubai, where India secured a comfortable six-wicket victory.
Key Players for India
India will look for strong starts from vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, whose recent form has been inconsistent. Harmanpreet heads into the tournament after rediscovering her touch with two half-centuries against South Africa and England. Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, and Deepti Sharma are also expected to play pivotal roles.
Pakistan's Threat
Pakistan, captained by Fatima Sana, will pose a stern challenge. The all-rounder has enjoyed a brilliant run over the last year and recently smashed the fastest fifty in Women's T20Is, reaching the landmark in just 15 balls against Zimbabwe.
Match Details
Match: India Women vs Pakistan Women, ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026
Date: Sunday
Time: 7:00 PM IST
Venue: Birmingham
Where to Watch
The India vs Pakistan Women's T20 World Cup 2026 match will be streamed live on the JioHotstar app and website in India. Fans can also watch the IND-W vs PAK-W clash live on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD, Star Sports 2, Star Sports 2 HD, Star Sports 3, and Star Sports 3 HD channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch India Women vs Pakistan Women live in India?
The match will be streamed live on JioHotstar and telecast on the Star Sports network.
What time does the IND-W vs PAK-W Women's T20 World Cup 2026 match start?
The match starts at 7:00 PM IST.
Where is the India vs Pakistan Women's T20 World Cup 2026 match being played?
The Group-stage match will be played in Birmingham.
What is India's head-to-head record against Pakistan in Women's T20Is?
India lead the head-to-head record 13-3 against Pakistan in Women's T20 Internationals.
