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The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 is already underway in England and Wales. On Sunday, the India Women’s National Cricket Team took on Pakistan’s Women’s National Cricket Team at the iconic Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham. Harmanpreet Kaur’s side won the game by 64 runs and increased their unbeaten 8-2 only twice have Pakistan won against their fiercest rival.
Kaur, after winning the toss, opted to bat first, as the Women in Blue scored 170/6 in their 20 overs, with Smriti Mandhana playing a knock of 68 off 44 deliveries, and the rest of the bowling attack of India demolished Pakistan’s batting line-up as they were bowled out for the score of 107 runs, with Muneeba Ali scoring the highest 41 runs.
Gulf between the two teams is massive - Aakash Chopra on India-Pakistan rivalry
After the loss, former India opener Aakash Chopra has dropped a comment on the India vs Pakistan rivalry. He has taken a dig at the men’s team as well, citing that neither the men’s nor the women’s cricket team can fight and win against India in recent years. In the last 10 meetings, India has won 9 games across formats.
"Pakistan, not good enough. Whether it's the boys or the girls, the stories are actually always similar. This time, the Indian girls showed once again that the gulf between the two teams is massive. We won the match easily by 64 runs and have made the net run rate very good. It means we made Pakistan lick dust once again," he said.
It reminded me of 2011- Shafali Verma, who reminded Aakash Chopra of Virender Sehwag
While speaking on India’s batting, he started with Shafali Verma, who reminded Aakash Chopra of Virender Sehwag in 2011, when the latter used to smack the first ball to the boundary just like how Shafali Verma struck the ball for a six. Apart from that, he pointed out Jemimah Rodrigues being a bit rusty after being dismissed for one run.
"Shafali Verma came and hit a six off the first ball, and it reminded me of 2011. Viru (Virender Sehwag), who has been her idol, had hit a first-ball four in every match in that campaign. She has hit a six here. I don't know whether she will be able to hit a six off the first ball in every match. However, she gave a start like that, but then she got dismissed," he observed.
"Jemimah looked slightly scratchy, and she also got out. You were struggling a little, but then Smriti Mandhana played wonderfully well. She is an incredible player. I call her the goddess of the off side. She hits terrific shots, whether it's along the ground or over cover. She is brilliant," Chopra elaborated.
Aakash Chopra in awe of Deepti Sharma
Akash Chopra also lauded Smriti Mandhana’s innings and Richa Ghosh’s finish as the former built a partnership with captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Richa Ghosh played a knock of 34 runs off 17 deliveries and provided the Women in Blue with the finish they needed.
"I really liked the way she played in this game. Her partnership with Harman was critical, in which Harman actually played slowly. It's important that you set the ego aside at times and try to build a partnership. Overall, the team reached 170 courtesy Richa Ghosh. She hits 70m sixes for time pass," he stated.
Aakash Chopra also lauded Deepti Sharma after her POTM performance as she picked 5/10. "Deepti Sharma dismissed Muneeba Ali with a direct hit, and then she picked up five wickets. She has started the T20 tournament from where she left off in the 50-over World Cup. She was the Player of the Tournament in the 50-over World Cup and has become the Player of the Match here in the first match itself," he said.
