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Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has shared a simple yet cryptic message for the India Women’s National Cricket Team after they crushed the Pakistan Women’s National Cricket Team in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Birmingham on Sunday (May 14).
Whenever India thrashes Pakistan in a multi-nation event, Pathan takes to his social media handle to take a brutal ‘Sunday’ dig on the neighbours. However, this time, the former World Cup winner didn’t even mention Pakistan in his post after Sunday's encounter.
India begin ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 with massive 64-run win over Pakistan
India could not have asked for a better start to their ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. In the biggest match of Group 1, the India Women’s National Cricket Team completely outplayed Pakistan and registered a huge 64-run victory at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Sunday.
Before this, Harmanpreet Kaur snubbed a handshake with Pakistan captain in ICC Women's T20 World Cup clash. Well, Smriti Mandhana played a classy knock of 68 runs off 44 balls, Richa Ghosh played a thrilling cameo of 34 runs off 17 balls, and Deepti Sharma stole the show with a magical five-wicket haul (5/10) against Pakistan Women’s National Cricket Team that helped her create a historic world record.
After being asked to bat first, India Women had a poor start as Shafali Varma was dismissed for just 6 in the very first over, and then Jemimah Rodrigues also lost her wicket. As India were struggling at 18/2, Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana turned the match and helped the team to reach 170/6 in 20 overs in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 clash.
Pakistan's bright start ends in disaster
Chasing the target, Pakistan Women made a strong start as India dropped Muneeba Ali twice in the first few overs, and they made the most of the errors by finishing the first six overs on 52/1, their highest-ever T20 powerplay score against India.
But after that, Deepti Sharma gave India the first breakthrough by dismissing Gull Feroza. Soon after the drinks break, she struck again by removing Ayesha Zafar. Shree Charani then joined the attack and dismissed Saira Jabeen to put Pakistan under pressure.
Muneeba Ali tried to keep the chase alive with the 41-run knock, but she was run out after a brilliant direct hit from Deepti Sharma. Just four balls later, Shafali Varma removed Pakistan captain Fatima Sana for a duck. Natalia Pervaiz also failed to make an impact, and Pakistan slipped to 79/6.
Deepti Sharma's historic 5-wicket spell breaks world record
The collapse completely ended Pakistan's hopes. They lost five wickets for just 26 runs and never recovered from that point. Deepti continued her outstanding spell and finished with career-best figures of 5 wickets for just 10 runs. She became the highest wicket-taker in Women's T20 International cricket with 166 wickets. Charani also impressed with three wickets.
With this win, India Women recorded their 14th victory over Pakistan in 17 Women's T20 Internationals and stretched their winning run against their neighbours to four matches. Pakistan's last win over India in this format came in the Women's Asia Cup in 2022.
Irfan Pathan's 'BEST SUNDAY' post goes viral after India Women crush Pakistan
After the match, Irfan Pathan took to his social media handle to congratulate the India Women’s National Cricket Team on thrashing Pakistan in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 match on Sunday.
It started back in 2022, when Virat Kohli played one of the greatest T20I innings of his career to help India pull off a dramatic victory against Pakistan. Soon after that unforgettable match in the T20 World Cup, Pathan posted, “Padosiyon Sunday kaisa raha???” (Neighbours, how was your Sunday?).
Since then, whenever India beats Pakistan on Sunday, Pathan often brings back the same playful joke with “Just another Sunday” and “BEST SUNDAY” one-liners to mock Pakistan.
This time also, Pathan continued the tradition. Following India's victory, he took another light-hearted dig at Pakistan by posting just two words: “BEST SUNDAY”. Celebrating India’s win, Pathan wrote on X, “Congratulations @BCCIWomen. BEST SUNDAY.”
Congratulations @BCCIWomen
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) June 14, 2026
BEST SUNDAY
