Birmingham, June 14: India’s opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 against Pakistan produced an unusual milestone as Shafali Verma etched her name into the tournament’s record books despite a brief stay at the crease.
The aggressive Indian opener became the first batter in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup to hit a six off the very first ball of a match. While her innings lasted only five deliveries, the landmark moment ensured that Shafali’s name would feature prominently in the tournament’s statistics.
India won the toss and elected to bat first in Birmingham, hoping to make a strong start against their long-time rivals. Shafali immediately signaled attacking intent by dispatching the opening delivery over the boundary for six. The shot provided an exciting beginning to one of the most anticipated fixtures of the competition.
However, Pakistan responded quickly. Left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal removed Shafali in the same over, with the Indian batter caught behind after scoring 6 runs from five balls. The early wicket gave Pakistan the breakthrough they were seeking and put pressure on India’s top order.
Historic Moment for Shafali Verma
Although her innings was short, Shafali’s opening-ball six created a new Women’s T20 World Cup record. Known for her fearless batting approach, the Indian opener has built a reputation for taking on bowlers from the outset, and the latest achievement further highlights her attacking style.
Over the past few years, Shafali Verma has become one of India’s most explosive batters in white-ball cricket. Her ability to score quickly during the powerplay often plays a crucial role in setting the tone for the team’s innings. Even on a day when she could not convert her start into a substantial score, she still managed to leave a mark on the contest.
India Lose Early Wickets
India’s hopes of a dominant powerplay were dented by the loss of two wickets inside the first six overs. Following Shafali’s dismissal, Jemimah Rodrigues also struggled to settle at the crease.
Rodrigues was dismissed for just one run after facing seven deliveries. Pakistan’s Tasmia Rubab produced a delivery that tempted the batter into a mistimed shot. Attempting to work the ball towards the leg side, Rodrigues instead found a leading edge that looped into the air.
Fielder Natalia Pervaiz initially appeared to have missed the opportunity when she fumbled the catch. However, she reacted quickly, recovered her balance, and completed the dismissal with a diving effort. The wicket further strengthened Pakistan’s position during the opening phase of the innings.
Mandhana and Harmanpreet Steady the Innings
With India under early pressure, captain Harmanpreet Kaur joined Smriti Mandhana at the crease to rebuild the innings. The experienced pair focused on stabilizing the scoring rate while avoiding further setbacks.
Mandhana, in particular, looked in impressive touch. The left-hander played a series of fluent strokes and took responsibility for keeping the scoreboard moving. By the end of the powerplay, she had scored 25 runs from 19 balls, including five boundaries.
Her positive approach helped India recover from the early blows and reach 38 for 2 after six overs. Harmanpreet provided support at the other end as the duo attempted to lay a platform for a competitive total.
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High Stakes Clash at the World Cup
Matches between India and Pakistan always attract significant attention, and their opening encounter at the Women’s T20 World Cup was no exception. With both teams aiming for a strong start to their campaign, every run and wicket carried extra importance.
While the spotlight initially fell on Shafali Verma’s record-breaking six, the contest quickly developed into a tactical battle between India’s batting lineup and Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack. As the tournament progresses, India will hope that their key players, including Shafali, Mandhana, and Harmanpreet, continue to deliver in crucial matches.
For now, despite her brief innings, Shafali Verma can take pride in achieving a unique World Cup milestone—becoming the first batter to launch a Women’s T20 World Cup match with a six off the very first ball.
