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KARACHI: Pakistan women cricket captain Sana Mir has said they are a side that should not be underestimated even though they have not played any international cricket since last years World Twenty20.
Speaking to Dawn at the South End Club here, a day before the wrap-up of their 17-day-long camp, Sana said that the girls preferred to focus on the challenges ahead of them rather than complain about lack of practice with foreign teams.
We are entering the competition to win. Believe me, thats the only thing on our minds right now, she asserted.
Our first match on May 6 is against Sri Lanka, whom we are looking to beat. The next one against India, on May 8, will also see us giving it our all. That leaves New Zealand, the fourth team in our group that well be facing on May 10, but our beating the first two will raise the teams morale besides taking us to the next round, she said.
Sana said that although this may sound like an ambitious plan for the national womens cricket team, they were a good side capable enough to make it happen.
With specialist batswomen like Bismah Maroof, Sajida Shah, Nain Abidi and newcomer Rabia Shah; pacers likes Qanita Jalil and Asmavia Iqbal; spinners like Javeria Khan and a new chinaman bowler Sadia Yousuf, the team is supported by some all-rounders and two fine wicket-keepers.
We are a good side, blessed with a great combination, she pointed out.
As a part of their practice during the camp, the women have been playing against local boys cricket clubs.
We scored 150-plus runs in all our matches against the boys, which is not bad at all, she said.
Coach Mansoor Rana, too, agreed with the captain.
Yes, over 150 runs will be a difficult target thatll put any team under pressure, he said.
If the girls perform to their true potential, there is no doubt that they can beat Sri Lanka and India, he added.
Giving his own view on the lack of international exposure, the coach said: You may call them hundred times for net practice or hold camp for one year but these can never replace what you learn while playing against foreign teams. Still it is no use lamenting over something that is out of our hands due to the countrys security situation.
We have done all we could otherwise. I have also created various scenarios for them during this camp such as chasing big targets, building a good score, playing in the mornings or under the hot sun in the afternoon. They have also improved their running between the wickets. This time the team is also better conditioned mentally.
Rana also showed his satisfaction over team selection.
All-rounder Nida Dar is back in the side along with two left-handed newcomers Sadia Yousuf and Rabia Shah, both discoveries of our domestic U-19 Twenty20 tournament. Rabia, besides being a valuable opener, is also a good wicket-keeping back-up though Batool Fatima is our first choice in that department, he said.
Meanwhile, Manager Ayesha Ashhar said that it really was a shame that they couldnt play any foreign team during the past year.
We couldnt even play against any Asian outfit leave alone the stronger sides. Sri Lanka refused to come and Bangladesh had their own problems. India was out of the question anyway. Then there was South Africa, who after cancelling this years tour to Pakistan, also stopped us from visiting as they said that they couldnt fit us in their calendar. So we were just left on our own, she explained.
But she added: We have played quite a bit of Twenty20 matches during our recent domestic tournaments, which will prove to be an advantage.
About the teams still not being able to get a sponsor, she said: Well, that is connected with international matches.
Asked about Women Wing Chairperson Shirin Javeds health, she said: She is doing well. Caribbean is a long distance so travelling would be too tiresome for her. But her best wishes are with the team, she concluded.
The team departs for the West Indies on Friday.
Squad: Sana Mir (captain), Nain Abidi (vice captain), Batool Fatima (wicketkeeper), Sajida Shah, Bismah Maroof, Armaan Khan, Urooj Mumtaz Khan, Nida Dar, Asmavia Iqbal, Qanita Jalil, Sania Iqbal Khan, Sadia Yousuf, Javeria Wadood, Rabia Shah.
Reserves: Zeba Manzoor Hussain, Masooma Junaid Farooqi, Rabia Batool, Kainat Imtiaz.
Officials: Ayesha Ashhar (manager), Mansoor Rana (coach), Yasir Malik (trainer), Huma Fatima (physiotherapist).
---------- Post added at 07:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:03 AM ----------
Speaking to Dawn at the South End Club here, a day before the wrap-up of their 17-day-long camp, Sana said that the girls preferred to focus on the challenges ahead of them rather than complain about lack of practice with foreign teams.
We are entering the competition to win. Believe me, thats the only thing on our minds right now, she asserted.
Our first match on May 6 is against Sri Lanka, whom we are looking to beat. The next one against India, on May 8, will also see us giving it our all. That leaves New Zealand, the fourth team in our group that well be facing on May 10, but our beating the first two will raise the teams morale besides taking us to the next round, she said.
Sana said that although this may sound like an ambitious plan for the national womens cricket team, they were a good side capable enough to make it happen.
With specialist batswomen like Bismah Maroof, Sajida Shah, Nain Abidi and newcomer Rabia Shah; pacers likes Qanita Jalil and Asmavia Iqbal; spinners like Javeria Khan and a new chinaman bowler Sadia Yousuf, the team is supported by some all-rounders and two fine wicket-keepers.
We are a good side, blessed with a great combination, she pointed out.
As a part of their practice during the camp, the women have been playing against local boys cricket clubs.
We scored 150-plus runs in all our matches against the boys, which is not bad at all, she said.
Coach Mansoor Rana, too, agreed with the captain.
Yes, over 150 runs will be a difficult target thatll put any team under pressure, he said.
If the girls perform to their true potential, there is no doubt that they can beat Sri Lanka and India, he added.
Giving his own view on the lack of international exposure, the coach said: You may call them hundred times for net practice or hold camp for one year but these can never replace what you learn while playing against foreign teams. Still it is no use lamenting over something that is out of our hands due to the countrys security situation.
We have done all we could otherwise. I have also created various scenarios for them during this camp such as chasing big targets, building a good score, playing in the mornings or under the hot sun in the afternoon. They have also improved their running between the wickets. This time the team is also better conditioned mentally.
Rana also showed his satisfaction over team selection.
All-rounder Nida Dar is back in the side along with two left-handed newcomers Sadia Yousuf and Rabia Shah, both discoveries of our domestic U-19 Twenty20 tournament. Rabia, besides being a valuable opener, is also a good wicket-keeping back-up though Batool Fatima is our first choice in that department, he said.
Meanwhile, Manager Ayesha Ashhar said that it really was a shame that they couldnt play any foreign team during the past year.
We couldnt even play against any Asian outfit leave alone the stronger sides. Sri Lanka refused to come and Bangladesh had their own problems. India was out of the question anyway. Then there was South Africa, who after cancelling this years tour to Pakistan, also stopped us from visiting as they said that they couldnt fit us in their calendar. So we were just left on our own, she explained.
But she added: We have played quite a bit of Twenty20 matches during our recent domestic tournaments, which will prove to be an advantage.
About the teams still not being able to get a sponsor, she said: Well, that is connected with international matches.
Asked about Women Wing Chairperson Shirin Javeds health, she said: She is doing well. Caribbean is a long distance so travelling would be too tiresome for her. But her best wishes are with the team, she concluded.
The team departs for the West Indies on Friday.
Squad: Sana Mir (captain), Nain Abidi (vice captain), Batool Fatima (wicketkeeper), Sajida Shah, Bismah Maroof, Armaan Khan, Urooj Mumtaz Khan, Nida Dar, Asmavia Iqbal, Qanita Jalil, Sania Iqbal Khan, Sadia Yousuf, Javeria Wadood, Rabia Shah.
Reserves: Zeba Manzoor Hussain, Masooma Junaid Farooqi, Rabia Batool, Kainat Imtiaz.
Officials: Ayesha Ashhar (manager), Mansoor Rana (coach), Yasir Malik (trainer), Huma Fatima (physiotherapist).
---------- Post added at 07:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:03 AM ----------
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