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The enthusiastic Indian women’s cricket team is all set to take on Pakistan for their first match in the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. India vs Pakistan match is always special for a cricketer, and it becomes more challenging when the match is to be held as a World Cup match.
Irrespective of the format, whenever these two teams face each other, spectators gather in large numbers. A full house is expected at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Sunday. Ahead of the match, Star Sports shared a video from its official social media account across all platforms, featuring the views of Indian cricket stars on the all-time rivalry.
Girls will experience crowd: Smriti Mandhana
Smriti Mandhana is one of those batsmen who can make a difference between the two teams. Mandhana talked about the crowd she is going to see tonight. “It’s always good to start your World Cup campaign with the Pakistan team. All the girls will be experiencing the crowd,” Smriti Mandhana said in the video.
Shafali Verma, another star of the Indian women’s cricket team, mentioned that facing arch rivals on the field is always a fun moment for her.
Shafali Verma said in the same video after Smriti Mandhana, “It is always fun to play against Pakistan. Our team is always on top. It is very fun to play with them.”
Jemimah Rodrigues highlighted the history of the famous rivalry shared by both the teams, which makes the competition more entertaining to watch and be a part of.
Jemimah Rodrigues said, “We know how big the India-Pakistan match is. We know the history of it. And I think that’s what makes it special. The rivalry, the history.”
We have to win this match: Deepti Sharma
For Deepti Sharma, this match has to be won at any cost, where she will have to perform strongly and perform well. He said, “We have to win this match. We have to perform better in this match. We have to keep our morale high.”
“This match has to be won!” motiv
This one line perfectly captures the intensity of the #GreatestRivalry.
ICC Women’s #T20WorldCup 2026 | #INDvPAK Sunday, June 14, 6 PM pic.twitter.com/VNrb1kGnbd
– Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 14, 2026
Mandhana can be the difference maker
Former England captain Nasser Hussain shared that Mandhana will definitely raise the level of competition. He believes that the vice-captain of Team India will perform strongly against Pakistan in this match.
Analyzing the match preview, Nasir Hussain told Geostar, “They are not a surprise package, but both Deepti and Smriti Mandhana have had quiet time for some time now. So, it is not a surprise. But on Sunday, I think Smriti Mandhana will raise her level absolutely.”
“If you ask Pakistan who they will be most worried about at the top of the order, it is Smriti Mandhana. She will hit Pakistan hard. They might need to rein it in a bit,” he said.
The 29-year-old has a good track record against Pakistan in Women’s T20Is. The Indian top-order batsman has so far scored 239 runs in 10 matches and ten innings against Pakistan, including one half-century.
