Sharma's five-wicket haul powers India to 64-run win over Pakistan in Women's T20 World Cup opener

Mandhana sets the platform

India lost two early wickets before Mandhana steadied the innings. She was dropped on 27 and made Pakistan pay, reaching fifty in another 10 balls. A second life on 55 gave her more freedom, and she struck nine fours and two sixes before Fatima Sana held a low catch at long-on. Her 91-run stand with captain Harmanpreet Kaur (36) put India in control.

Ghosh sparks late acceleration

With India at 132-5 after 18 overs, Richa Ghosh hammered 34 off 17 balls. She and Sharma looted 23 runs from debutant Tasmia Rubab in the 19th over, and Sana conceded 15 in the last. The total of 170-6 was India’s best T20 World Cup score against Pakistan.

Sharma’s all-round show

Sharma removed Pakistan’s openers early and then ran out Muneeba Ali (41) with a direct hit in the 11th. When Sana fell at 77-5, the chase crumbled. Sharma returned to take the last three wickets in five balls, finishing with 5-10. Leg-spinner Shree Charani supported with 3-21. Sharma’s burst made her the highest wicket-taker in women’s T20Is, with 166 scalps.

I like pitches like this. The ball turned a bit, so I bowled a touch slower in the air and backed myself. I hit the right areas.

Handshake politics again

The captains declined to shake hands at the toss and after the final wicket, continuing a pattern that started at last year’s men’s Asia Cup following cross-border hostilities. Harmanpreet Kaur said before the match, “We are here for cricket, and we only talk about cricket,” but the gesture, or lack of it, drew attention again.

Bangladesh break new ground

In the day’s earlier match on the same pitch, Bangladesh overhauled the Netherlands’ 139-8 with a record chase. Opener Juairiya Ferdous struck 50 as Bangladesh reached 141-4 with five balls to spare, their highest successful chase in a Women’s T20 World Cup.