Deepti Sharma attempts to run out Pakistan’s Natalia Pervez during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Group 1 cricket match between India and Pakistan in Birmingham, England.

Smriti Mandhana scored 68 runs and Deepti Sharma She claimed a career-best five-wicket haul as India began their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign with a 64-run win over Pakistan at Edgbaston on Sunday.With the help of Mandhana’s 68 runs in 44 balls and Richa Ghosh’s 34 runs in 17 balls, India scored 170 runs for 6 wickets when invited to bat. In reply, Pakistan were all out for 106 in 17 overs, with Muniba Ali’s 41 from 35 balls being her highest score.Deepti did wonders with the ball and took 5 wickets for 10 runs in her four overs. During the match, the off-spinner also became the highest wicket-taker in the history of Women’s T20 International. Left-arm spinner Shri Charani provided good support by taking 3 wickets for 21 runs, while Shafali Verma took one wicket.Pakistan was never able to build momentum in chasing the target. Muniba looked comfortable at the crease before her innings was ended by Deepti’s direct-hit run out.The match was being played on the old surface of Edgbaston, so India’s spinners took full advantage of the conditions. The pitch provided some turn and grip, making strokeplay difficult for Pakistan’s batsmen.Earlier, India were under pressure at 18 for 2 after losing Shafali Verma for 6 runs and Jemimah Rodrigues for 1 run. After this, Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur took the innings forward by making a partnership of 91 runs for the third wicket.India’s score was 30 for 2 at the end of the powerplay before the pair picked up pace. Mandhana completed her half-century in 34 balls with nine fours and two sixes.He was given two chances during his innings. First, he was dropped at mid-off off the bowling of Tasmiya Rubab. Later, another chance went to the wide long-on boundary off Sadia Iqbal when the ball slipped through the fielder’s hands for six runs.Mandhana’s innings ended when she missed a shot off Ramin Shamim and Pakistan captain Fatima Sana completed the catch.Harmanpreet contributed 36 runs in 35 balls before becoming Sana’s victim, while Bharti Phulmali was stumped on zero soon after Mandhana’s dismissal.After this Richa Ghosh played a quick inning of 34 runs. India scored 23 runs in the final over bowled by Rubab, which helped them reach 170 for 6.For Pakistan, Sadia Iqbal took 2 wickets for 41 runs and captain Fatima Sana took 2 wickets for 33 runs.India’s bowlers then took control, with Deepti leading the way and bowling out Pakistan for 106, giving India a comfortable win in the opening match of the tournament.