India will look to make a strong start to their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign when they take on Pakistan in Birmingham on Sunday, with a well-balanced side banking heavily on openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma to fire.

Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, India enter the tournament aiming to add a second global title after their 50-over World Cup triumph last year. The head-to-head record also favours India, who lead Pakistan 13-3 in T20Is, including a six-wicket win in their last meeting during the 2024 T20 World Cup in Dubai.

Since then, India have developed into a more consistent white-ball side, with strong overseas series wins against Australia (2-1) and England (3-2), and a 5-0 home sweep over Sri Lanka. However, defeats to South Africa (4-1) and England (2-1) exposed areas needing improvement.

A key concern remains the form of the opening pair. Vice-captain Mandhana, despite a fluent 82 against Australia in Adelaide earlier this year, has struggled for consistency in recent outings, while Shafali Verma has also been unable to convert starts into big scores after a strong knock of 64 against South Africa in Johannesburg.

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India will need the pair to deliver against a Pakistan attack led by skipper Fatima Sana, who has been in impressive form with both bat and ball. Sana recently struck a rapid 15-ball fifty against Zimbabwe and averages over 50 with the bat and under 25 with the ball over the past year.

Pakistan also rely on left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu and a balanced bowling attack to challenge India’s batting unit, which will be without injured all-rounders Amanjot Kaur and Kashvee Gautam.

For India, captain Harmanpreet’s return to form with recent half-centuries against South Africa and England will boost the middle order. The team will also depend on Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, and Deepti Sharma to maintain momentum.

Wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia, India’s leading scorer against England in a recent series, will look to improve her strike rate, while Deepti Sharma’s all-round contribution will be crucial in conditions that may not fully assist her off-spin.

The match will begin at 7 pm IST.