![Fans Hail Smriti Mandhana [Source: AFP Photos, X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1781449912841_SmritiMandhanaIndiaWomenPakistan.jpg?type=hq)
Fans Hail Smriti Mandhana [Source: AFP Photos, X]
With India Women’s back against the wall against arch-rivals Pakistan Women during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, Smriti Mandhana stepped up to the rescue and won the fans’ hearts in the process.
The big rivalry kicked off at the Edgbaston Stadium, and the women in blue opted to bat first. However, the decision quickly backfired as Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues departed in the powerplay.
Smriti Mandhana scores fifty under pressure
From 18/2, India Women could have easily collapsed, but Smriti Mandhana used her experience to ensure that didn’t happen. She stitched a steady partnership with captain Harmanpreet Kaur.
The duo rebuilt the innings brick by brick to surpass the 100-run mark in 13 overs. Meanwhile, Mandhana, after starting slow, picked up pace to bring up a match-defining half-century.
She hit over 8 fours and a couple of sixes to reach that milestone. Needless to say, the anxious Indian fans breathed a sigh of relief seeing Mandhana take responsibility.
They praised her on social media for absorbing the pressure, especially against arch-rivals Pakistan.
Not only that, but a few supporters also drew similarities between Smriti Mandhana and Virat Kohli as they share the same jersey number and have an elite record against Pakistan.
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Mandhana-Harmanpreet script record partnership
That being said, the second-wicket partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur reached 91 runs, which is the highest for any wicket by India Women in T20Is against Pakistan Women.
The duo indeed showed commendable resilience to pull the team out of a soup in a crucial T20 World Cup game. However, their record partnership was eventually broken by Rameen Shamim, who dismissed Smriti Mandhana on 68 off 44 balls.
Still, India have an opportunity to finish big, as they have over 6 overs to play with 7 wickets in hand.
India skipped handshake with Pakistan
Meanwhile, India Women captain Harmanpreet Kaur avoided a handshake with Pakistan Women captain Fatima Sana. After winning the toss, Harmanpreet spoke to the broadcaster and then walked away without exchanging a handshake with Fatima.
This was interpreted by many as a continuation of India's recent policy of avoiding ceremonial handshakes with Pakistani teams.
After the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent India-Pakistan military tensions, Indian cricket teams reportedly adopted a policy of minimising ceremonial interactions with Pakistani counterparts.
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Technically, Harmanpreet Kaur didn’t break any rule, as a handshake is a cricketing tradition, not an ICC requirement. Players and captains are expected to follow match regulations, but there is no ICC rule forcing them to shake hands before or after a game. Hence, ICC won't take any action on her.
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