IND vs PAK: Shreyanka relishes picking maiden World Cup wicket against Pakistan

Women's T20 World Cup 2024: Shreyanka Patil relished picking her maiden World Cup wicket against an arch-rival team like Pakistan. India restricted Pakistan to 105 runs in Dubai.

In Short

• India restrict Pakistan at 105 runs in Women's T20 World Cup 2024
• Shreyanka Patil picked 2/12 in her four-over quota
• India lost the 1st match against New Zealand by 58 runs

Shreyanka Patil relished picking her maiden World Cup wicket and called it even more special as it came against Pakistan. The 22-year-old went wicket-less against New Zealand in their opener match of the Women's T20 World Cup 2024. She stepped up in a high-stakes encounter between India and Pakistan at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on October 6, Sunday. Shreyanka ended with match figures of 2/12 in her four-over quota as the Indian bowlers did a great jo to restrict Pakistan at 105 for 8.

"Getting the first wicket at a World Cup is very special and against Pakistan was even more special. It is just amazing to be a part of this World Cup. Now I am in the middle and people are cheering for us, it is even more special. [Surface] I think it was pretty normal. We got some offer on this wicket. We picked up some crucial wickets in the powerplay that helped us. Aru [Reddy] bowled well and all the others were great," Shreyanka told the broadcasters during the mid-innings.

She also revealed that the team was aware of the hot and humid conditions in Dubai and prepared well for it.

"[Heat] I am going to have an ice tea after this. It is pretty hot and humid here. But we are well prepared for the heat. [Chase] We have done well as a bowling unit, now up to the batters to bring it home," she added.

India restrict Pakistan at 105

On a slow and low pitch, Pakistan struggled to find their rhythm, ending with a total of 105 in their 20 overs. They had a tough start, losing openers Feroza and Sidra early in the powerplay. Omaima Sohail couldn't stay long either, leaving Muneeba Ali and Nida Dar to rebuild the innings.

Just as Muneeba was settling in, Shreyanka Patil got one to bounce a bit more, and the Pakistan batter was dismissed. Nida Dar, however, held her ground, but kept losing partners at the other end. Captain Fatima Sana showed some intent with two back-to-back boundaries, but was caught brilliantly by Richa Ghosh.

In the end, Syeda Aroob Shah and Nida added some useful runs, while Nashra Sandhu hit a boundary off the final ball to push Pakistan's total past 100. Arundhati Reddy was the star with the ball for India, picking up 3/15.