T20 World Cup: India kick off tournament with stunning 64-run win over Pakistan at Edgbaston | Cricket news
India got their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign off to a flying start with a 64-run win over Pakistan at Edgbaston.
Smriti Mandhana (64 off 44) played with the bat as India set a record in Pakistan chasing 171 to win.
Pakistan produced their best T20 powerplay to give themselves hope, but were bowled out for 106 in 17 overs, with Deepti Sharma (5-10) winning – along with five fors – and three wickets in the last over.
Both sides return to action on Wednesday, when India take on the Netherlands at Headingley before traveling to Birmingham to play South Africa – both staying Sky Sports.
India’s first win in the T20 World Cup
Relations between the sides remain strained, with no bilateral cricket and meetings limited to neutral venues.
There was no handshake between the captains before the match after Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and elected to bat against a slow Edgbaston pitch.
India recovered from an early deficit thanks to a 91-run stand between Smriti and captain Kaur, with a late strike to Richa Ghosh, who plundered 23 runs from the first over, lifting India to 170-6.
Pakistan started well with 37 runs in the first four overs, but Deepti turned the game around, striking twice before combining with fellow spinner Shree Charani.
Pakistan’s batsmen failed to withstand the pressure of India’s spinners, losing seven wickets for 31 runs from 75-3, with Sharma completing the victory in the 17th over.
‘Deepti, Smriti always delivers’
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, on Sky Sports Cricket:
“Whenever we need Smriti and Deepti, they are always there to push the team, so we are very happy with the way they both played today.
“It was a decent pitch. At first we put ourselves under unnecessary pressure, but when Smriti and I batted, we tried to control the game and got what we wanted. Then Richa Ghosh came in, and he is a class bowler.
“Cricket is a game where, if you catch all your opponents, you always win games – and I think that’s what made the difference on the pitch.”
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India’s Shreyanka Patil took a superb diving catch against Pakistan in the Women’s T20 World Cup
There is much that can be improved in Pakistan
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana, on Sky Sports Cricket:
“The batting team was really disappointing, we have to raise the level in the next games because we still have a long way to go in the World Cup.
“We were fine [in the field] till 15 overs, after that we gave some more runs.
“Rivals win games, unfortunately those who won are senior players.
“We have to improve in throwing and throwing games in the next games because if we fall on the field it costs the whole game.”
Deepti Sharma won the series with five wickets and a run-out as India beat Pakistan at Edgbaston
‘I knew I would step up when needed’
Man of the match – Deepti Sharma (5-10) – on Sky Sports Cricket:
“I love ICC tournaments. I’ve picked up where I left off, and I’m very grateful. I enjoy wickets like this – the ball was turning, so I changed my pace with all my overs.
“I believed in myself and bowled in the right places. I wasn’t worried about not getting wickets; I always hoped to represent the team when the time came.
“It was an amazing crowd here, with a lot of people coming out to support India.”
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