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For a nation deemed oppressive to women, blamed of confining them to the indoors and forcing them to act out their trade with utensils and needles, the sight of eleven girls hopping around in track suits and not shalwar kamiz, and with heads covered in caps and not dupattas would certainly rob Pakistan of the unwanted titles.
While the men’s team makes headways into uncharted territories amid a spate of turmoil, their female counterparts continue to flux opposition off the field – despite its mediocrity on it. And as opponents are left dumbfounded by Pakistan’s mere participation in the events, the nation itself sits in oblivion.
“There is no dearth of interested individuals in the country,” said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Women’s Wing Chairperson Shirin Javed. “We have girls coming from Quetta, from Gilgit, from remote villages that we didn’t even know existed and with names we can’t even pronounce. They are barred from leaving their houses apart from going for training and matches.”
Arguments, conflicts and scandals have played their part in ensuring the interest in the sector develops, and grows, for the wrong reasons. However, from the days of girls playing alongside boys on roadsides, on makeshift pitches and on rented grounds, the interest has only increased.
“Times have changed,” added Javed. “No longer are the parents worried. We have girls playing in track suits. We have parents dropping their daughter for training on a bicycle. A kitchen is not the only place girls belong to now.”
Words of one, not realised and echoed by the rest, however. Critics are after their heads, labelling them budget-wasters, hopeless performers, sinners even. The marriage factor is their primary aid. Playing with boys, their bodies open to scrutiny by the onlookers, and an inferior win-loss ratio, the secondary.
“We get critics almost every day but it’s part of our duty as female cricketers to ignore those,” said Nain Abidi, a Karachi-based player forming the backbone of Pakistan’s batting line-up. “It hurts, especially after we’ve achieved so much for the country. People just don’t want to see us play.
“But I’ll still encourage individuals to come forward despite the criticism, the glare, and the condemnation. Sport, apart from physical benefits, teaches us punctuality, respect, responsibility and, in our case, how to convert negative thoughts into positive actions.”
For some, cricket is a respite before the inevitable wedding ceremonies. Some even leave everything behind – despite the limited freedom – their studies, their jobs and perhaps their future. Only to pursue dreams alien to our culture, albeit temporary, and to emulate their male counterparts. All the while aiming to go one better.
“You’re spending so much on the men’s team,” said Abidi. “They play all year round, unlike us. And look how many trophies they’re bringing us. We’re also doing our fair share. We should be treated as equals and people should realise that cricket is not just a gentleman’s game.”
© Faras Ghani 2010.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 24, 2010
Captain Sana Mir has rested high hopes in the newcomers to end Pakistan’s dismal international run as the team left for South Africa for the Women’s Cricket Challenge following a two-week camp in Muridke.
Pakistan, ranked sixth in the world, lost all three matches in the 2010 World Twenty20 in the West Indies – the team’s last international assignment – and will play five One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and at least two Twenty20s without several key players including former captain Urooj Mumtaz and strike-bowler Qanita Jalil.
“Obviously we’ll miss the experienced individuals but we’re hopeful that the new faces, who haven’t experienced winning or losing yet, can provide us with a change in fortunes,” Mir told The Express Tribune. “The lack of exposure can actually be a good thing since our opponents are oblivious to their style and potential and we can capitalise on that.”
With the tournament comprising teams ranked fifth to 10th in the world, every match will carry points hence rewarding performing teams with an improved place in the table. Mir, aware of the Pakistan’s lack of experience and limitations, has set the team an aim of not falling below eighth when they leave South Africa.
“Right now, I won’t go big with statements and aims. If we can finish on eighth after the tournament, I’ll be really satisfied. Losing constantly can get really frustrating, especially when you’ve performed as an individual but as a player, the only thing that sport teaches us is to stand up again. And that’s what I’m telling the team.”
Pakistan will play its first match of the tour against Ireland on Wednesday.
© Faras Ghani 2010
Published in The Express Tribune, October 4, 2010
Following his US Open heroics, Pakistan’s top-ranked tennis player Aisamul Haq Qureshi has vowed to ensure a repeat performance as he left for New Delhi yesterday with Aqeel Khan to represent Pakistan at the Commonwealth Games.
Qureshi, who reached the finals of the mixed doubles and men’s doubles at Flushing Meadows, was involved in a training camp in Lahore with Aqeel and Pakistan’s tennis captain and coach for the Games Mohammad Khalid after his return from New York.
“The Commonwealth Games won’t be easy despite my individual performance of late,” Qureshi told The Express Tribune. “There are teams from all over the world and they’re sending four players instead of two so they have an advantage.
“Obviously after being recognised for my US Open performance, the expectations are really high and I’d ensure that they are met and I perform on the same level as I have been.”
Aqeel, who has been Qureshi’s Davis Cup partner for 12 years, acknowledged the help Pakistan’s number one provides in the absence of tough competition at home and hoped for a favourable draw in order to progress to the finals of the event.
“We have a lot of understanding and that’s come because of us playing together for a number of years,” said Aqeel. “He’s been playing international tournaments and his pace helps us get accustomed to what we’d expect abroad. We’re hoping for a good draw that’ll help us progress but if you want to win a medal or a tournament, you need to beat the best out there.”
Qureshi also ruled out fatigue as a factor that could hamper Pakistan’s chances of a medal despite being on tour for most of the year. Following his long Europe tour, Qureshi was involved in Pakistan’s relocated Davis Cup tie in New Zealand before flying out to the US for the Pan Pacific tournament as well as the US Open.
“The travels are part of being a professional tennis player. I have a slight disadvantage because being a Pakistani, the tournaments are held away from the country and that makes things a lot difficult. However, as a player you need to learn how to deal with it.”
© Faras Ghani 2010
Published in The Express Tribune, October 3, 2010
