The innings was an emphatic response from Sidra’s first appearance at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, removed for a first ball duck by a scorching Marufa Akter in-swinger. The experience of getting out that fast was something she had very little familiarty with.
“I feel that in international matches, I’ve never gotten out that quickly … (not for) many years,” Sidra told media ahead of Pakistan’s World Cup blockbuster with Australia.
“I just felt like, ‘what did I come here to do today?’ I felt really bad and sad because I know my team depends on me, and I feel a lot of pressure when I get out early. As a senior batter, and you can even call me the backbone of the team, my coaches and teammates have put a lot of responsibility on me – and I like taking that responsibility. I try to stay calm and composed because I know my game and how to take it forward. The discussion is that, as batters, we need to take more responsibility, stay longer on the wicket, and play the maximum number of overs.
“But the bowling was outstanding, no doubt about that. I also came in a little late, and the ball swung in, took the inside edge, and I got bowled.”
