<\/p>\n
India\u2019s women\u2019s team launched their T20 World Cup 2026 run against Pakistan at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on June 14. After winning the toss, India chose to bat first, but their start was rocky\u2014Shafali Verma didn\u2019t stick around long and got out early.<\/p>\n
Smriti Mandhana, though, really set the tone for India. Opening the innings, she hammered 68 runs from just 44 balls, steadying things and laying the groundwork for the rest of the team. With that half-century, Smriti joined a pretty elite group\u2014she now stands alongside Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur for the most fifty-plus scores by an Indian in Women\u2019s T20 World Cups.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s how the record looks now:<\/p>\n
5 \u2014 Mithali Raj (23 innings)
5 \u2014 Harmanpreet Kaur (34 innings)
5 \u2014 Smriti Mandhana (26 innings)*
3 \u2014 Punam Raut (15 innings)<\/p>\n
Talking through India\u2019s innings: Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana opened, but Shafali only put 6 runs on the board before heading back. Jemimah Rodrigues didn\u2019t have much luck either and was out after just one run from seven balls. Harmanpreet Kaur then chipped in with a steady 36 from 35, while Bharti Fulmali went cheaply for one. But the real surprise? Shafali Verma came back later in the middle order and blasted 34 runs off just 17 balls, helping India reach a solid total of 170.<\/p>\n
On the bowling side for Pakistan, Sadia Iqbal and Fatima Sana picked up two wickets each, with Tasmia Rubab and Rameen Shamim grabbing one apiece. Now, with a target of 171 ahead, Pakistan have a real challenge\u2014they\u2019ll need to play at their absolute best if they want to take down India and make a strong start in this World Cup.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n