India and Pakistan collide in a high-stakes Group 1 opener at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on Sunday, 14 June, with both sides launching their title campaigns against the backdrop of one of cricket's most charged rivalries. Kick-off is set for 7:00 PM IST.

The Rivalry Factor

India-Pakistan fixtures at ICC events rarely unfold along predictable lines. Rankings and recent form often yield to pressure, crowd energy, and the sheer weight of occasion. Edgbaston is expected to be a cauldron, with Birmingham's sizeable South Asian community historically transforming this fixture into something well beyond a group-stage match. This will be yet another chapter in a bilateral rivalry that consistently produces outsized drama.

India's Strengths and Expectations

Harmanpreet Kaur leads an Indian side that enters the tournament as one of the favourites, still chasing a maiden Women's T20 World Cup title. The top order, anchored by Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, offers the kind of explosive start that can set totals beyond reach. The bowling unit is equally balanced: Renuka Singh's ability to extract swing in English conditions and Deepti Sharma's consistent off-spin give India multiple avenues to take wickets at different stages of an innings.

Pakistan's Threat and Key Weapons

Under captain Fatima Sana, Pakistan arrive with a youthful squad carrying genuine ambition. While India hold a superior head-to-head record in Women's T20Is, major tournament cricket has a habit of levelling the field. Pakistan's spin duo of Sadia Iqbal and Nida Dar will be central to any plan to contain India's batting — both are experienced enough to exploit any hesitation against turning deliveries on an English pitch that can offer grip.

Match Details and Broadcast

The match will be broadcast live on Star Sports channels, with JioHotstar streaming the game online. Edgbaston has long been a favoured venue for subcontinental encounters, and the atmosphere on Sunday is expected to reflect that tradition.

Full Squads

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Nandani Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav.

Pakistan: Fatima Sana (c), Gull Feroza, Ayesha Zafar, Iram Javed, Eyman Fatima, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Parvaiz, Saira Jabeen, Muneeba Ali, Tuba Hassan, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sandhu, Diana Baig, Tasmia Rubab.

With both sides desperate to begin their World Cup journeys on a winning note, Sunday's clash at Edgbaston could set the tone for the entire Group 1 campaign.