Pakistan, India set for opening-day clash in Women’s T20 World Cup
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
Pakistan will begin its ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a clash against arch-rivals India at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham on Sunday (today). The 10th edition of the tournament, organised by the England and Wales Cricket Board, will run from 12 June to 5 July and will be the largest Women’s T20 World Cup staged so far. The competition has expanded to 12 participating teams, with 33 matches scheduled across seven venues in England. The final is set for 5 July at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. Pakistan have been drawn in Group 1 alongside Australia, India, South Africa, Bangladesh, and debutants the Netherlands. Group 2 consists of defending champions New Zealand, hosts England, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Ireland, and Scotland. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, which are scheduled for 30 June and 2 July. The Pakistan side will once again be led by Fatima Sana, who continues as captain after taking charge in the 2024 edition in the UAE. The 24-year-old all-rounder enters the tournament in strong form, having recently set a world record for the fastest half-century in women’s T20 internationals during a 3–0 series win over Zimbabwe in Karachi, reaching the milestone off just 15 balls. The squad includes several debutants such as Eyman Fatima, Rameen Shamim, and Saira Jabeen, alongside experienced players like Muneeba Ali Siddiqui, Gull Feroza, Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Nashra Sundhu, Sadia Iqbal, and Tuba Hassan. Iram Javed and Ayesha Zafar complete the 15-member squad, while Natalia Parvaiz and Tasmia Rubab return as squad members after earlier World Cup involvements. Pakistan’s group-stage fixtures 14 June vs India – Edgbaston, Birmingham (6:30 pm PKT) 17 June vs South Africa – Edgbaston, Birmingham (10:30 pm PKT) 20 June vs Bangladesh – Hampshire Bowl, Southampton (6:30 pm PKT) 23 June vs Australia – Headingley, Leeds (10:30 pm PKT) 27 June vs Netherlands – Bristol County Ground, Bristol (2:30 pm PKT) Wom