Ind Women Defeated Pak Women As Deepti Sharma Bags Five For

BIRMINGHAM: India Women kicked off their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign. Ind women defeated Pak women by 64 runs at Edgbaston on Sunday. A brilliant half-century from Smriti Mandhana and a historic five-wicket haul by Deepti Sharma sealed a clinical performance for the Women in Blue.

After winning the toss, India elected to bat first under overcast skies and posted a formidable 170 for 6 in their 20 overs. In response, a disciplined Indian bowling attack completely dismantled the opposition, bundling Pakistan out for a meager 106 runs in 17 overs.

Mandhana Capitalises On Reprieves

Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana anchored the Indian innings with a fluent 68 off 44 deliveries. Pakistan's lackluster fielding handed her two crucial reprieves early in her knock, and she made them pay dearly with elegant drives and authoritative pulls.While Pakistan’s spinners briefly slowed the run rate in the middle overs, Richa Ghosh provided the late-innings fireworks. The explosive wicketkeeper-batter smashed a quickfire 34 off just 17 balls, shifting the momentum decisively back to India before the innings break.

Historic Sharma Five-For Seals Victory

Chasing a daunting target of 171, Pakistan's response never found a sustainable rhythm. Left-handed opener Muneeba Ali offered the lone resistance with a gritty 41, but she lacked substantial support from the other end as the required run-rate soared.The chase completely fell apart once Deepti Sharma was introduced into the attack. The star off-spinner ripped through Pakistan's middle and lower order to finish with extraordinary figures of 5 for 10.

With this bowling masterclass, Sharma crossed the monumental milestone of 350 international wickets, becoming the first female spinner in cricket history to reach the landmark. Pakistan lost their final five wickets in rapid succession, handing India a massive boost to their net run-rate.