News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

This article was first published 16 years ago
Rediff.com  » Cricket » Pakistan eves qualify for cricket World Cup

Pakistan eves qualify for cricket World Cup

Source: PTI
February 23, 2008 19:21 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

For a change, it is the women who are making headlines in Pakistan cricket after the eves qualified for the 2009 World Cup.

- Complete Coverage: Elections in Pakistan

Pakistan made it to the final of the World Cup qualifiers in South Africa, allowing them to compete in next year's championship.

The news was splashed on all the television channels last night, something unheard of in Pakistan where women rarely grab attention for their sporting achievements.

The group of largely unknown young women have defied the odds to beat Zimbabwe, Ireland, Scotland and Netherlands to set up a final date with South Africa.

"It has been an absolutely amazing performance from everyone. We came here as the underdogs. But we have surprised everyone and we have a very good unit so even the higher placed South Africans should not take us lightly in the final," captain Urooj Mumtaz told PTI from Stellanbosch.

Mumtaz, hailing from Karachi, said the four wins achieved in the competition so far would help raise the profile of Pakistani women in the country's sports landscape.

Mumtaz was nominated for the best woman player of the year award by the International Cricket Council last year.

"Until now, to be honest, no one has taken women's sport or cricket seriously, but after this they will. I just pray we continue to keep our focus and work hard. We can even win the final.

"Playing against India in recent times had helped the girls realise how much they needed to improve their game," she said.

Pakistan women's cricket team at a training sessionThe manager of the team, Shahnaz Sohail hoped the achievement would be a landmark in women's sport in Pakistan.

"We have never been taken seriously and our women have never had access to really good sport facilities in the country over the years despite the enthusiasm among young girls for different sports.

"But things are now changing and I hope the cricket team can prove to be a trend setter," said.

Mumtaz credited chief coach former Test captain Imtiaz Ahmed and a dedicated support team provided by the Pakistan Cricket Board for the improvement shown by the team.

"They have really worked hard on us and the girls have responded well. It is a great feeling for us and we are still celebrating," said the all-rounder.

Women's cricket has had little attention in Pakistan given the high profile of the male players.

The only time it has been in the news was due to a bitter court battle between the PCB and a group of young women who claim they had the right to run Pakistan women's cricket.

But with the International Cricket Council now setting up a proper women's wing and taking direct charge of women's cricket affairs, the association supported by the PCB has been recognised by the ICC.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: PTI© Copyright 2024 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024