Questions over the form of opener Smriti Mandhana and spinner Deepti Sharma had lingered over India's preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup. On Sunday at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham, the experienced duo provided emphatic answers.
Mandhana's Masterclass
Smriti's fluent 44-ball 68 laid the platform for India's commanding 64-run victory over arch-rivals Pakistan. Her innings, filled with crisp boundaries, calmed early nerves after India opted to bat and recovered from an early wobble to post a competitive 170/6.
Deepti's Historic Spell
Deepti's guile and precision dismantled Pakistan's chase as she returned career-best figures of 5/10 in the Group I campaign opener. In the process, she became the leading wicket-taker in women's T20 internationals, taking her tally to 166 wickets.
India's Innings
India's total was built around Smriti's half-century and a late flourish from Richa Ghosh, whose unbeaten 17-ball 34, studded with five boundaries and a six, injected crucial momentum into the innings.
Pakistan's Chase
Pakistan began their chase steadily but found themselves trapped in India's spin web. Deepti led the charge, with Shree Charani (3/21), Shafali Verma, and Shreyanka Patil providing excellent support as Pakistan were bundled out for 106.
Turning Points
Pakistan's innings began to unravel in the fifth over when Gull Feroza misjudged the bounce while attempting a reverse sweep off Deepti and offered a catch to Bharti Fulmali. India tightened their grip in the 12th over when Deepti effected the run-out of the well-set Muneeba Ali (41), leaving Pakistan precariously placed at 74/4. The off-spinner then wrapped up the contest in the 17th over, claiming the final three wickets in the space of five deliveries.
Brief Scores
India 170/6 (S Mandhana 68, R Ghosh 34) beat Pakistan 106 all out in 17 overs (M Ali 41, Deepti Sharma 5/10).
