[Watch] S Sajana's boundary helps India beat Pakistan and get off the mark in ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024

India got off the mark in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 with a six-wicket victory against Pakistan on Sunday (October 6) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai. The batters from both teams struggled to get going on a sluggish surface during the match.

Pakistan batted first after winning the toss and scored 105/8 in 20 overs. Nida Dar (28), Muneeba Ali (17), Syeda Aroob Shah (14), and Fatima Sana (13) were the only ones to score in double digits for Pakistan. Arundhati Reddy (3/19) was the pick of Indian bowlers.

In the chase, the Women in Blue suffered an early blow as vice-captain Smriti Mandhana departed for 7 (16) after a sedate start. Shafali Verma (32), Jemimah Rodrigues (23), and Harmanpreet Kaur (29) then batted watchfully and took their side close to the target at a slow pace. S Sajana provided the finishing touches by hitting a four in the 19th over which won the match for India.

You can watch the winning moment in the video below:

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"We were really disciplined as a bowling and fielding unit"- Smriti Mandhana after India's win vs Pakistan in ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2024

Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana reflected on the win and said:

"We were really disciplined as a bowling and fielding unit. We could have done better with a better start with the bat but we will take this. We did have the NRR in mind but me and Shafali were not able to time the ball as well as we would have liked at the start. We have the NRR in our heads. Hopefully this game can give us momentum."

On Harmanpreet Kaur's injury, she added:

"Too soon to comment on that (Harman's injury), the medical team is having a look, hopefully it is nothing serious."

The Women in Blue will next face Sri Lanka on October 9 at the same venue.