Smriti Mandhana Hit 68 and Deepti Sharma claimed a career-best five-wicket haul as India opened their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign with a 64-run win over Pakistan at Edgbaston on Sunday.Thanks to Mandhana’s 68 off 44 balls and Richa Ghosh’s 34 off 17 balls, India scored 170 runs for 6 wickets when asked to bat. In reply, Pakistan were bowled out for 106 runs in 17 overs, Muniba Ali’s 41 runs off 35 balls being their highest score.Deepti starred with the ball, returning figures of 5 for 10 in her four overs. The off-spinner also became the highest wicket-taker in the history of Women’s T20 Internationals during the match. Left-arm spinner Shri Charani supported them with figures of 3 for 21, while Shafali Verma took one wicket.Pakistan could never build momentum in pursuit of the target. Muniba looked comfortable at the crease before Deepti’s direct hit run out ended her innings.With the match being played on Edgbaston’s used surface, India’s spinners made the most of the conditions. The pitch offered some turn and grip, making stroke play difficult for the Pakistani batsmen.Earlier, India found themselves under pressure at 18 for 2 after losing Shafali Verma for 6 and Jemima Rodriguez for 1. Mandhana and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur then steadied the innings with a 91-run partnership for the third wicket.At the end of the powerplay, India were 30 for 2 before the pair picked up speed. Mandhana completed his half-century in 34 balls and finished with nine fours and two sixes.He was given two chances during his innings. First, she was dropped at mid-off off the bowling of Tasmia Rabab. Later, another chance fell to wide long on boundary off Sadia Iqbal, the ball slipped through the fielder’s hands for a six.Mandhana’s innings ended when he mistimed a shot off Ramin Shamim and Pakistan captain Fatima Sana completed the catch.Harmanpreet scored 36 off 35 balls before falling to Sana, while India was stumped for a wicket soon after the dismissal of Filmlee Mandhana.Richa Ghosh then provided the late push with 34 runs. India collected 23 runs from Rabab’s last over, helping them reach 170 for 6.On behalf of Pakistan, Sadia Iqbal scored 2 runs for 41 runs and captain Fatima Sana scored 2 runs for 33 runs.India’s bowlers then took control, with Deepti leading the way as Pakistan were bowled out for 106, giving India a comfortable victory in the tournament opener.
