The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 is going to start from October 3. In this important tournament, Team India will play its first match against New Zealand on 4 October. All the cricket fans are eagerly waiting for the important match between Team India and Pakistan.

Let us tell you that this great match will be played between these two teams on 6th October at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai. However, Team India’s experienced opening batsman Smriti Mandhana has given her stand regarding the fierce clash between Team India and Pakistan. According to Smriti Mandhana, this match will be very important and Team India would definitely like to win it.

During a conversation with Star Sports, Smriti Mandhana also said that it is going to be very difficult to play in the heat of Dubai. Smriti Mandhana said, ‘It has not been easy. We have come from India but initially it was very difficult for us to bear this heat. I pray that by the time we play our first match, we will understand this situation very well.

Preparations are going well. Before coming to Dubai, we had a great camp in Bengaluru and we worked on all the important aspects. Now we are eagerly waiting for the coming challenge. It will be very difficult for us to play during the day because it is going to be very hot here. But we are playing for Team India and no excuse will suffice. By the time we face Pakistan the team will be ready. We have to keep ourselves mentally strong and perform well.

India-Pakistan clash is more than emotion for fans: Smriti Mandhana

Regarding the clash between these two teams, the experienced opening batsman said, ‘The India-Pakistan clash is more about the emotions of the fans. It is not that we do not talk to each other. All the players know each other very well but it is the emotion of both the countries that makes this match important.

For me, every match of the World Cup is special and we would like to perform well in all of them. But everyone’s emotions will be very high in the India-Pakistan match. All matches are very important for us and we would like to give our 100 percent. New Zealand and Sri Lanka are strong teams but there is no margin for error against Australia. It has always been exciting to face Australia because they are a tremendous team and defeating them has always been challenging.

Smriti Mandhana also praised Shefali Verma a lot

Regarding Shefali Verma, Smriti Mandhana said, ‘It has been really fun to open the team with her. Our conversations have always been funny and I hope our conversations never end up on the mic. We have been opening for Team India for the last two to three years and know each other’s game very well. Many times it happens that we talk eye to eye and our bond is also very strong.

Regarding Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana said, ‘My journey with her so far has been really wonderful. He is a very experienced player and I always admire him. She has always been my role model and she also encourages young players a lot.