New overseas recruit Shikha Pandey didn't take long to make a big impression on Dream11 Super Smash debut.
The talented and experienced recent India rep delivered on cue in her first game for the Canterbury Magicians, starring with both bat and ball as she helped overcome the strong Otago Sparks in their first-round encounter.
The 35-year-old allrounder produced the first half century of this season's competition and she did it from a tough position of 30/5 in the eighth over, when the Sparks were right on top after having elected to bowl first in Alexandra.
Fortunately for the Magicians they had some batting depth, and Pandey was able to put together two good partnerships to save the innings.
A glorious from Indian International Shikha Pandey breaks the shackles for the Magicians! Her first boundary of the day.
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Crunched by Pandey! Shikha Pandey gets away a boundary off Molly Loe and the Magicians continue to build a partnership here!
— Dream11 Super Smash (@SuperSmashNZ) December 27, 2024
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She batted almost until the last ball for the top score of 63 off just 48 balls, finding the rope nine times on her red and black debut.
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The rearguard recovery left the Sparks needing to chase down 138 at Molyneux Park, a target that should not have threatened them - but the fancied southerners fell 12 runs short.
And Pandey? A tidy 2/17 with the ball, after opening the attack with Missy Banks (2/19) and taking the big wickets of WHITE FERNS Bella James and Hayley Jensen - crucially stopping Jensen as the run chase got tight.
Fellow Magicians overseas signing Maddie Penna also did her bit, dismissing Suzie Bates shortly after the WHITE FERNS star had glided to a 40-ball 50 at the top for the Sparks, becoming a key wicket in the 16th over.
A few more wickets at the death and the thrilling southern rivalry was settled in Canterbury's favour.
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