Women's Super Smash: India pacer Shikha Pandey signs for Canterbury Magicians

The club took to social media to announce Pandey's inclusion in the squad with a post which read, "Indian cricketer, Shikha Pandey is SIGNED with our Canterbury Magicians for our 2024/25 Super Smash campaign! We are super excited to see her in action over the next while, this is something you won't want to miss out on seeing!"

With her inclusion, Shikha became the first Indian player to participate in the Women's Super Smash, according to ESPNcricinfo. The six-team T20 tournament kicked off on Thursday and will conclude on February 2.

With Laura Hughes captaining the side, Magicians will face Otago Sparks in their campaign opener on Friday in Alexandra.

Shikha is not the only overseas talent featuring in the Magicians squad. Australia's Madeline Penna is another overseas player in the side.

Shikha recently featured in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) for Brisbane Heat. She had a successful outing in the tournament, picking up 12 scalps in 12 matches with an economy rate of under seven.

Shikha was a crucial figure with the new ball and played a major role in helping Heats finish as the runners-up in the competition. The Indian quick also concluded the campaign as the joint second-highest wicket-taker for the Heats.

The 35-year-old was also a part of the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) in the Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL).

Shikha last represented India in the T20 World Cup 2023 in South Africa. She took three wickets in three matches for India. Since then, she has been overlooked by the selection committee, with new players making their way into the side.

Overall, in the T20I format, Shikha has 43 wickets to her name in 62 matches at an economy rate of 6.49. In the ODI format, Shikha featured in 55 matches and scythed 75 wickets. (ANI)