The 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup gets underway on the 12th of June. This marks the 10th edition of the tournament which will be played in England and Wales until July 5 and will be participated in by the strongest teams of women's cricket. India Women are among the contenders for the crown and their campaign begins in the shape of arguably the most anticipated fixture of the group stages when they face Pakistan Women. India and Pakistan have shared some unforgettable moments over the years when playing each other. India have had the upper hand with 13 victories out of 16 encounters in T20Is. However, in T20 World Cups Pakistan has only recorded two victories out of eight. In a contest with a history of this magnitude many individual battles will influence the eventual outcome: Also Read | Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma Pose For Photo And Leave Sweet Notes For Homestay Staff There are 5 must watch battles between India Women and Pakistan Women. 5. Muneeba Ali vs Kranti Gaud Muneeba Ali has been an integral part of Pakistan's top order over the past few years. At the 2023 T20 World Cup, she created history by becoming the first Pakistani female to register a T20I century. Kranti Gaud will likely be tasked with getting an early breakthrough for India. The young pacer's swing, pace and control have seen her become a reliable option in the Indian team and the battle between the two may well set the tone for the entire match. 4. Jemimah Rodrigues vs Sadia Iqbal Jemimah Rodrigues is one of the anchors of the Indian middle order, her ability to rotate the strike and then accelerate when needed is invaluable. She is up against Sadia Iqbal, one of the best left-arm spinners in women's cricket. In 2024, Sadia became the first Pakistani woman to be ranked No 1 in T20Is and expect to see her used against Jemimah in the middle overs. 3. Shafali Verma vs Fatima Sana Shafali Verma is one of the most destructive openers in women's T20 cricket. Her free-flowing style can destroy a game within a few overs and it's a challenge Pakistan captain Fatima Sana will have to contend with using the new ball. Fatima arrives having had a brilliant 2026 season including a fifty off 15 balls which was the fastest in women's T20Is. This opening powerplay contest will be key. 2. Harmanpreet Kaur vs Nashra Sandhu India captain Harmanpreet Kaur will be participating in her 10th Women's T20 World Cup and experience of the skipper could be key for India. Spinner Nashra Sandhu will be the primary threat in the middle overs for Pakistan and despite a somewhat indifferent warm-up fixture against Sri Lanka, her ability to contain batters could prove decisive. 1. Smriti Mandhana vs Diana Baig The duel that stands head and shoulders above all others is that between India's premier batter Smriti Mandhana and the skillful swing bowler Diana Baig. Mandhana has been at the forefront of the Indian batting line-up for many years now with a tally of 4,333 T20I runs including 33 fifties and 1 century. She will expect to get India off to a flying start but that will depend greatly on whether Diana Baig, expected to bowl the new ball for Pakistan can get her wicket early on. A major momentum swing will happen depending on who wins this battle. These five encounters will have a massive impact when India and Pakistan lock horns on June 12 and both teams will be hoping to get their World Cup campaign off to a perfect start.