Published June 14, 2026
Deepti Sharma took five wickets as India defeated Pakistan by 106 wickets to complete a 64-run victory over their arch-rivals in their latest quest to win their first Women’s Twenty20 World Cup title.
Sharma spun off the last three wickets in five balls as India defended 170 in front of a packed, partisan crowd at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham, England on Sunday.
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Seven months after Sharma helped India win the Women’s ODI World Cup final with five wickets and 58 runs, she started this T20 World Cup with an outstanding performance. Shree Chalani supported her with 3 wins and 21 losses.
Sharma actually got off to a strong start, taking the first two wickets of Pakistan’s chase, but by the 10th over, India were on top.
Pakistan needed Muneeb Ali, who was dropped twice, to make a big splash but Sharma scored a brilliant direct hit with a run from the backward point to get her out for 41 in 11 overs.
When Pakistan captain Fatima Sana collapsed at 77-5 in the next over, her team was also eliminated.
Sharma had a second-half burst of 5-10 and became the highest wicket-taker in Women’s T20s with 166 wicket-taker.
“I always believe in myself, I believe that I can step up whenever the time is right,” said the prolific all-rounder.
India struggled in the powerplay, with Smriti Mandhana dropping 27 off 24 balls, but it took time for them to use that reprieve to launch an onslaught against Pakistan’s bowling. He needed just 10 more pitches to reach 50 pitches.
The left-handed opener was dropped again on 55, hitting his own helmet with a top edge and forcing a concussion check. She passes and hits her ninth boundary, beating a nice low grab from Sana.
Mandhana’s wicket began a mini-collapse that included captain Harmanpreet Kaur at number 36. India started at 132-5 in the 19 overs hoping for 150.
Richa Ghosh then exploded with 34 runs off 17 balls and combined with Sharma to steal 23 runs from World Cup debutant Tasmia Rubavu.
“If it were in my hands, I would love to send (Ghosh) to the first pitch,” Kaul said. “But she has a role to play, and she’s doing it well.”
Sana conceded 15 runs in the final over, but the target of 171 seemed tough considering Pakistan’s history against its neighbors.
India has dominated the rivalry with Pakistan in the World Cup, defeating Pakistan in all 20-over and 50-over encounters.
Continuing the trend set by the men’s team in last year’s Asia Cup, the Indian team did not shake hands with the Pakistan team for the second consecutive World Cup, following their encounter in the 50-over tournament in October.
Ferdus skins the Netherlands
Meanwhile, Bangladesh broke records on the same pitch to beat the Netherlands in the first women’s T20 World Cup match for a European side.
Bangladesh, who had never scored more than 126 in a World Cup chase, reached 141-4 with five balls remaining.
In response to Holland’s 139-8, the South Asian team was forced into the final over despite a fine platform from lead-off batsman Huairiya Ferdous, who hit his second fifty since making his T20 debut in January.
Ferdous made 26 of his first 27 shots and 33 of 47 on the power play. However, even at the age of 20, he had two lives. On the 7th, the third umpire arguably ruled out Stere Kallis’ deep midwicket catch, and on the 18th, Ferdous was dropped.
Both of her six balls went over the midwicket rope and by the time she was out for 50 off 33 balls at 67-1 in the eighth over, Bangladesh were almost halfway home.
Dutch spinners Silber Seegers and Heather Seegers and Caroline de Lange (2-27) slowed Bangladesh down, but they were not persistent.
Sharmin Akhter and Shona Akhter’s 56-match unbeaten partnership helped Bangladesh win the T20 World Cup for the fourth time in seven tournaments.
Dutch captain Babette de Lied won the toss and the one-down batsman had his team together with 50 off 45 balls until the 17th over, but ran out of steam trying to score a second run.
Bangladesh’s attack was led by medium pacers Marfa Akhter (2-31) and Ritu Moni (1-17).
Defending champions New Zealand play Sri Lanka on Tuesday, while hosts England face Ireland.
