Anjum Chopra heaps praise on Team India`s batswoman Smriti Mandhana

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In the Women`s T20 World Cup 2026 match against Pakistan, Team India emerged victorious by 64 runs at the Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham.

During the match, Team India`s star batswoman Smriti Mandhana played a crucial knock of 68 runs off 44 deliveries, laced with nine boundaries and two maximums.

Speaking about her, former Team India cricketer Anjum Chopra heaped praise by saying that she has always seen Mandhana as a “stylish” and “accomplished batter”.

“Look, she is a star player. She is a stylish player. And she continues to score runs, getting India the win. I have always seen Smriti as a stylish batter, as an accomplished batter. And obviously, she has risen through all the runs that she has scored for herself and for the team. She has earned the ICC Women Cricketer of the Year award more than once, and I think twice. She has already done that,” she told PTI.

“So, she is already an accomplished batter. I will not classify her as the best player ever to play for India or not. She is very good. That is why she is scoring runs, and that is why she is the ICC Cricketer of the Year more than once,” added Chopra.

VIDEO | Former India captain Anjum Chopra said India`s chances at the ongoing World Cup will heavily depend on Smriti Mandhana`s form and consistency. Anjum said there was no denying the fact that what she has been able to do no other Indian batter has ever been able to.

“Look,… pic.twitter.com/f4czomKXn5

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 16, 2026

Women`s T20 World Cup 2026, India vs Pakistan: Match summary

In an attempt to chase a target of 171 runs, Pakistan was bowled out for 106 runs in 17 overs.

Opening batswoman Gull Feroza scored 12 runs in nine balls, including two boundaries. Wicketkeeper-batswoman Muneeba Ali played an impressive knock of 41 runs, which came in 35 balls, including five boundaries.

Ayesha Zafar also departed after scoring 12 runs in eight balls, which included two boundaries. Saira Jaeen returned to the pavilion on two runs in three balls.

Natalia Pervaiz was dismissed on seven runs on 13 balls. Captain Fatima Sana and Aliya Riaz registered a duck and 18 runs, respectively. Fatima faced three balls, whereas Aliya`s knock ended in 17 balls, including a boundary. Rameen Shamim scored four runs in six balls, whereas Nashra Sandhu registered four runs in five balls.

Tasmia Rubab returned to the pavilion on a two-ball duck. Sadia Iqbal stayed unbeaten on one run in one ball.

Team India`s Deepti Sharma returned with the figures of five wickets for 10 runs in four overs. Shree Charani also claimed three wickets by conceding 21 runs in four overs. Shafali Verma chipped in with one wicket. Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, and Kranti Gaud went wicketless in the Women`s T20 World Cup 2026 match against Pakistan.

Earlier, having opted to bat first, opening batswoman Shafali Verma scored six runs in five balls, including a maximum. Fellow opening batswoman Smriti Mandhana played a crucial knock of 68 runs off 44 deliveries, laced with nine boundaries and two maximums.

Jemimah Rodrigues was dismissed for one run in seven balls. Bharti Fulmali also departed on one run in three balls.

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur managed to score 36 runs in 35 balls, with the help of four boundaries. Wicketkeeper-batswoman Richa Ghosh garnered 34 runs off just 17 deliveries, which included five boundaries and a maximum. Deepti Sharma and Shreyanka Patil stayed unbeaten. Facing nine balls, Deepti scored 12 runs, including a boundary, whereas Shreyanka scored one run in one ball. With this, Team India posted a total of 170 runs for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs.

Pakistan`s Sadia Iqbal returned with the figures of two wickets for 41 runs in four overs. Captain Fatima Sana also claimed two wickets by conceding 33 runs in four overs. Tasmia Rubab and Rameen Shamim chipped in with one wicket each. Nashra Sandhu went wicketless in the Women`s T20 World Cup 2026 match against the “Women in Blue”.

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