IND vs PAK Women’s World Cup 2026: India Crush Pakistan by 64 Runs at Edgbaston
Introduction
If there’s one fixture every cricket fan circles on the calendar, it’s India vs Pakistan — and the opening blockbuster of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 lived up to every bit of that hype. On Sunday, in front of a sold-out Edgbaston crowd of nearly 19,000, India handed Pakistan a 64-run defeat to begin their campaign in style. Smriti Mandhana’s bat and Deepti Sharma’s spin did almost all the damage.
For anyone searching for the IND vs PAK Women’s World Cup 2026 result, here it is in one line: India posted 170 for 6, Pakistan were bowled out for 106, and India won by 64 runs.
A Shaky Start, Then Mandhana Took Charge
India won the toss and chose to bat first, but the start didn’t go to plan. Two early wickets left them at 18 for 2 inside the powerplay, and for a few overs, Pakistan’s bowlers looked to have the upper hand in this much-anticipated Ind vs Pak Cup 2026 opener.
Then Smriti Mandhana settled in.
Batting with the calm she’s known for, Mandhana found the gaps and timed her shots beautifully through the off side, slowly turning the innings around. She was eventually dismissed at long-on for 68, an innings that helped India post their highest-ever total against Pakistan in a Women’s T20 World Cup match. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur added a useful 36, and wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh chipped in with a quick 34 to push the total to 170 for 6. Pakistan’s Fatima Sana was their most economical bowler with 2 for 33, though her final over went for 15.
Deepti Sharma Turns the Chase Into a Procession
Chasing 171 is never simple, but Pakistan made a confident start, with their openers putting on 38 runs inside the first few overs. For a brief moment, this looked like it could turn into a real contest.
That changed the second Deepti Sharma got the ball in her hand.
Muneeba Ali was Pakistan’s best batter on the day, top-scoring with 41 before a brilliant direct-hit run out from short third — off a throw from Deepti herself — ended her innings. From there, Pakistan’s batting simply fell apart. They lost five wickets for just 26 runs through the middle overs as India’s spinners tightened their grip completely.
Deepti saved her best for last, taking three wickets in a single over to finish things off in the 17th. Pakistan were all out for 106, and Deepti’s final figures of 5 for 10 earned her the Player of the Match award. The performance also took her past 166 wickets in women’s T20Is — the most by any bowler in the format’s history. On her World Cup debut, young spinner Shree Charani also impressed with 3 for 21.
This wasn’t a one-off for Deepti, either. Seven months earlier, she was the star of India’s ODI World Cup final win, scoring 58 and taking five wickets in that game too. For Pakistan, she’s quickly becoming the player they simply cannot get past.
IND vs PAK in World Cups: A History That Still Favours India
This was about more than just one group match. Pakistan have now gone a full decade without beating India in a T20 World Cup fixture. The wider rivalry in women’s cricket has actually been more competitive than people often assume, with a few close finishes over the years — but Sunday’s result was anything but close, and it extends a pattern Pakistan will be desperate to break.
What This Means for the Group Stage
The result has real consequences for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 standings. India have moved up to second place in Group 1, behind early leaders Australia, while Pakistan sit fifth after this opening defeat.
With Australia, South Africa, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands also in Group 1, only the top two teams go through to the semi-finals at The Oval. For Pakistan, every remaining group game now carries the kind of pressure usually reserved for an IND vs PAK Women’s Cup decider — there’s very little room left for mistakes.
For India, this is exactly the start they wanted: a top order back in form, a bowling attack firing on all cylinders, and the kind of result that sets the tone for the rest of the tournament.
What’s Next for Both Teams
The tournament keeps moving quickly. India face the Netherlands in Leeds on June 17, while Pakistan take on South Africa on the same day in what’s already a big match for their campaign.
Games against the so-called “smaller” teams in the group can be trickier than expected too, especially on English pitches that have offered plenty for the bowlers early in this tournament. Both India and Pakistan will need to be careful not to drop unexpected points from here.
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 runs all the way to July 5, when the final is played at Lord’s. Whether India and Pakistan cross paths again before then depends on how the rest of the group stage plays out — but for now, the IND vs PAK Women’s World Cup 2026 story belongs to India.
IND vs PAK Women’s World Cup 2026 — Scorecard at a Glance
- India Women: 170/6 in 20 overs (Mandhana 68, Harmanpreet 36, Ghosh 34; Sana 2/33)
- Pakistan Women: 106 all out in 17 overs (Muneeba 41; Deepti Sharma 5/10, Charani 3/21)
- Result: India won by 64 runs
- Player of the Match: Deepti Sharma
- Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham
- Date: June 14, 2026
Quick FAQs
Who won the IND vs PAK Women’s World Cup 2026 match?
India won by 64 runs after posting 170/6 and bowling Pakistan out for 106.
Who was the Player of the Match?
Deepti Sharma, for her career-best bowling figures of 5 for 10.
When do India and Pakistan play next in the tournament?
India face the Netherlands and Pakistan face South Africa, both on June 17, as the group stage continues.
Where was the match played?
At Edgbaston, Birmingham, in front of a sold-out crowd of around 18,800 — a record for a Women’s World Cup group-stage match.
Match Expectations
The IND vs PAK Cup 2026 fixture is expected to attract huge viewership from cricket fans worldwide. Both teams will enter the match with strong preparations and a desire to secure an important victory in the tournament.
India may start as favorites based on recent performances, but Pakistan has the talent and determination to surprise any opponent on its day.
Conclusion
The IND vs PAK Women World Cup 2026 is more than a cricket match. It is a celebration of how far women’s cricket has come and a glimpse of where it is going.
India will start as favorites, but Pakistan has the talent and determination to cause an upset. No matter which team you support, this is a match you simply cannot miss.
Stay tuned to pslcricket.com for more updates, live scores, and in-depth analysis of the Ind vs Pak Women Cup 2026 and all other major cricket events.
