Sharma spun out the last three wickets in five balls as India defended 170 on Sunday in front of a heavily partisan sellout crowd at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Seven months after Sharma starred in India’s victory in the final of the Women’s ODI World Cup with five wickets and 58 runs, she started this T20 World Cup with another standout performance. Shree Charani supported her with 3-21.
Sharma took the first two wickets of Pakistan’s chase, which actually started strong, but by the 10th over, India were on top.
Pakistan needed Muneeba Ali, dropped twice, to go big, but Sharma ran her out on 41 in the 11th over with a great direct hit on the run from backward point.
When Pakistan captain Fatima Sana fell in the next over at 77-5, her team fell away too.
Sharma’s late burst for 5-10 made her the highest wicket-taker in the women’s T20, with 166.
“I always believe in myself, that whenever the right time comes, I will step up,” the prolific all-rounder said.
India laboured through their power play, and it took Smriti Mandhana to be dropped on 27 off 24 balls to be inspired by the reprieve to lash out at the Pakistani bowling. She needed only another 10 balls to reach 50.
The left-handed opener was dropped again on 55 and top-edged onto her own helmet, forcing a concussion check. She passed, smacked her ninth boundary, and was out to a great low grab by Sana.
