On Sunday, India will kickstart their Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign when the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side face Pakistan. It is the mother of all battles and arguably the biggest game of the ongoing edition. On this big occasion, eyes will be on Smriti Mandhana to get India going from the start.
The Women in Blue are fresh off an ODI World Cup, but the Indian team are still searching for their maiden T20 World Cup title. Hence, it puts extra pressure on the likes of Smriti Mandhana, who is India’s leading run-getter in Women's T20Is.
Smriti Mandhana's Record In Women's T20Is
Talking about Mandhana’s T20I career, the southpaw has scored 4333 runs in 160 innings, averaging 29.88. She is the 2nd leading run-getter, only behind Suzie Bates. Further, Mandhana is in a stellar form in the shorterst format of the game, as she lifted a WPL trophy with RCB in 2026.
Shedding light on her season, the 29-year-old had scored 377 runs in 9 innings, averaging 53.86. However, international cricket is a different game altogether. Further, playing against Pakistan is so different. Hence, this article will shed light on the 29-year-old’s record against Pakistan in T20Is.
Talking about playing against Pakistan, then Mandhana is yet to cement her domination against the Women in Green. Shedding light on her stats against Pakistan, then Mandhana has only amassed 239 runs in 10 innings.
Mandhana averages 26.55, which includes a solitary fifty-plus score in 10 innings. The concerning part is that Mandhana's strike-rate drops to just 100 while playing against Pakistan.
Criteria
Data
Innings
10
Runs
239
Average
26.55
Strike-rate
103
100/50
0/1
(Mandhana's Record in T20Is vs Pakistan)
Smriti Mandhana's Record vs Pakistan In Women's T20 World Cup
Talking about performing in Women's T20 World Cup, then Mandhana has nothing to boast about in the prestigious 20-over event. She has scored 524 runs in 24 innings, averaging just 21.83.
Mandhana has no century, but four fifties. Further, her strike-rate is just 114.41 in Women's T20 World Cups. Shedding light on playing against Pakistan, then Mandhana has been underwhelming in the World Cups.
The 29-year-old has played 4 matches against Pakistan women in T20 World Cups, scoring just 56 runs in four innings, averaging 14. Hence, the upcoming match is a great opportunity for the India opener to get back among runs against the Women in Green.
Why Smriti Mandhana Is Still India's Best Chance vs Pakistan?
Despite Mandhana's underwhelming record against Pakistan, the 29-year-old continues to be India's best chance against the Women in Green. One of the positives of the southpaw is that she remains calm under pressure, which is really important when you play against a side like Pakistan.
India have players like Richa Ghosh, Bharti Fhulmali, who can attack towards the end, but they really one who put runs on the board and stays until the end.
Smriti Mandhana vs Pakistan - (Source: AFP)
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