Smriti Mandhana scored 68 and Deepti Sharma took five wickets as India beat Pakistan by 64 runs in their T20 World Cup opener.
India made a strong start to their T20 World Cup campaign with a dominant win over Pakistan, led by Smriti Mandhana’s half-century and Deepti Sharma’s five-wicket haul.
The match, held in Group One, saw India post 170 for six, with Mandhana top-scoring at 68 from 44 balls.
Pakistan’s chase never gained momentum, collapsing to 106 all out as Deepti Sharma’s bowling (five for ten) ripped through their lineup.
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur elected to bat first but early wickets at 18 for two threatened their innings.
Mandhana stabilized the side despite being dropped twice, first on 27 and again on 55.
She then combined with Harmanpreet for a 91-run partnership before being dismissed for 68, an innings that included nine fours and two sixes.
The late-order added 38 runs off the final 12 balls, pushing India’s total to 170.
Pakistan started brightly, reaching 52 for one inside the powerplay, but Deepti Sharma’s breakthroughs shifted the game.
Leg-spinner Sree Charani contributed with three wickets for 21 runs as Pakistan’s batting collapsed from 52 for one to 106 all out.
Their final seven wickets fell for just 31 runs, leaving them well short of the target.
Deepti Sharma’s figures of five for ten were decisive, dismantling Pakistan’s middle and lower order to secure the victory.
Her performance followed Mandhana’s resilient batting, ensuring India’s total was defendable.
The win puts India in a strong position early in the tournament.
Pakistan now face a tough challenge to advance from Group One, which also includes South Africa.