The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 has officially begun, marking another significant milestone in the growth of women’s cricket. Hosted across England and Wales, this year’s edition is the biggest in the tournament’s history, featuring an expanded 12-team format and a record prize pool. As the competition gathers momentum, all eyes are now firmly fixed on one of cricket’s most anticipated rivalries: India vs Pakistan.
The highly anticipated Group A clash will take place on June 14 at Edgbaston in Birmingham, a venue that already witnessed the tournament opener between hosts England and Sri Lanka. The match is expected to draw global attention as two passionate cricketing nations renew their rivalry on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
India enters the tournament carrying high expectations, led by an experienced core featuring captain Harmanpreet Kaur, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, all-rounder Deepti Sharma and the explosive Shafali Verma. Pakistan, meanwhile, will be eager to make an early statement and strengthen their chances of progressing to the knockout stages.
Ahead of the marquee encounter, former England captain Nasser Hussain identified Smriti Mandhana as the player Pakistan would be most concerned about. “They’re not surprise packages, but both Deepti and Smriti Mandhana have had quiet periods for a little while now. So, it’s not a surprise. But come Sunday, I think Smriti Mandhana will absolutely raise her level. If you ask Pakistan who they would be most worried about at the top of the order, it is Smriti Mandhana. She’ll go hard at Pakistan. She may need to rein it in a little,” he said on JioStar.
Mandhana remains one of the most accomplished batters in world cricket and has often delivered in high-pressure situations. Her ability to balance aggression with composure makes her a crucial figure in India’s batting lineup.
Hussain also highlighted the importance of India’s opening partnership and explained how Shafali Verma’s attacking approach could benefit Mandhana’s innings. “With Shafali, they dovetail pretty well. Shafali is the one who really goes hard, and Smriti sits in her slipstream a little bit. If Shafali can get them off to a flyer, that just means Smriti can settle in for a little longer. If she bats 20 overs, she will either have a hundred or be pretty close to one,” said Hussain.
India’s opening combination has long been viewed as one of the most dangerous in women’s cricket. While Verma’s fearless strokeplay often puts bowlers under immediate pressure, Mandhana’s ability to pace an innings allows India to build substantial totals.
The 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup represents a landmark moment for the women’s game. For the first time, 12 teams are competing in the event, which will feature 33 matches across seven venues in England and Wales. The tournament also boasts a record prize pool of more than USD 8.7 million, underlining the growing investment and global interest in women’s cricket.
The competition got off to an emphatic start as England defeated Sri Lanka by 87 runs at Edgbaston. Opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge starred with an unbeaten century, helping the hosts post the highest team total in Women’s T20 World Cup history and sending an early message to the rest of the field.
India have been placed in a challenging group alongside Pakistan, Australia, South Africa, Bangladesh and the Netherlands, making every match crucial in the race for the semi-finals. A victory against Pakistan would not only boost India’s confidence but also strengthen their position in a fiercely competitive group.
The road to the trophy will culminate in London, with both semi-finals scheduled at The Oval on June 30 and July 2. The final will then take place at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 5, where the next Women’s T20 World Cup champion will be crowned.
For now, however, the spotlight belongs to Edgbaston, where another chapter in the storied India-Pakistan rivalry is set to unfold. With stars on both sides and a global audience watching, the contest promises to be one of the defining moments of the tournament’s group stage.
Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, India vs Pakistan: Full squads
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Jemimah Rodrigues, Arundhati Reddy, Bharti Fulmali, Renuka Singh, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia (WK), Richa Ghosh (WK), Shreyanka Patil, Nandani Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani
Pakistan: Diana Baig, Iram Javed, Aliya Riaz, Ayesh Zafar, Muneeba Ali (WK), Nashra Sandhu, Natalia Pervaiz, Rameen Shamim, Fatima Sana (C), Tube Hassan, Sadia Iqbal, Gull Feroza, Eyman Fatima, Saira Jabeen, Tasmia Rubab
