It has been great to read all the comments in reply to my last blog and have so much interest in the fortunes of the team. Unfortunately, the arrangements for playing in England haven't worked out this year but I am very keen to try and play next summer.
I am very excited about today's announcement on the ICC World Twenty20 2009. It has been officially confirmed that we will be playing in a joint event with the men next year, with the semis and final of the women's event taking place as a curtain-raiser to the men's event.
Normally I am glued to the action whenever Pakistan's men are playing in an international event, so to be part of the same event is going to be an incredible feeling.
The draw is very tough for us, as we struggled against India and Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup, but hopefully we will have improved in time for then.
I am looking forward to having the opportunity to seeing some of the stars of the game, who I have read about but never played against. While I have played against India and Sri Lanka many times before, I have never played Australia or New Zealand.
It's quite strange knowing all the stats about some of the top players, but not really knowing their style of batting or bowling, as there is so little women's cricket on television at the moment.
Obviously we have the World Cup before then and that will obviously provide a great opportunity to see how people approach their batting and bowling. But both ICC events in 2009 are a long way off for the moment, so there are other things to focus upon for the moment.
Judging by some of the comments on the blog, plenty of people think I have some work to do on my game, so they will be pleased to know I now have my own coach to really help me develop my batting. I thought this was the best solution given that my plans to go to England hadn't worked out. I have been working for three hours a day on my batting, which has been supported by a vigorous training programme which has been designed for me by my fitness trainer.
Quite a few of the girls are undergoing similar regimes and I am pleased to report that my training is beginning to pay dividends with some good scores in some of the matches I have played recently.
I hope I will be able to translate this form to the next domestic competition, which starts in July, which will hopefully provide the opportunity for some of the most talented players from a junior camp, which takes place later this month, to be exposed to a national competition.
Until then, it is more batting and bowling practice, yet more waiting for my dentistry results, a diving holiday in Thailand and day dreams of success in the World Twenty20.
Judging by some of the comments on the blog, plenty of people think I have some work to do on my game, so they will be pleased to know I now have my own coach to really help me develop my batting
.I will again emphasize that the purpose is to see that the Pakistani team plays to its full potential . For that to be achieved players and especially you Uroog ( being the Captain ) will have to rise from the level of your self obsessions/promotion. Focus on your team as a whole , if you want the girls to put a good show in Australia and England instead of blowing your own trumpet . It would be beneficial if you can play with International teams before the events in Australia and England . And in order for you to command respect among your team and fans , act selflessly and show your leadership qualities .
Posted by: Cricketer at July 15, 2008 9:55 AM
Urooj ,
Hope all is well with you , I just came across the news over the internet that the PCB is organizing first ever Regional Women Twenty Twenty , its a good sign but do get to play with International teams . Do keep us posted about this tournament and please let us know how to get the daily match details and complete scorecards.
Mithali Raj, India's former captain, has been on the international circuit for a decade. In August 2006, she led India to their first-ever Test and series win in England and capped off the year by winning the Asia Cup - the second time in 12 months - without dropping a game. India, under her captaincy, also reached the World Cup final in 2005. Now, as one of the senior members of the side, and the premier batsman, a lot will be riding on her for the two World Cups - 50-over and Twenty20 - that India will play in 2009.
Urooj Mumtaz managed to juggle a course in dentistry along with captaining Pakistan. Their most recent triumph was qualifying for the World Cup next year and the 22-year old Urooj will lead a young team to Australia in hope of creating a favourable impression of the Pakistan women's team among the other sides as well as back home. A legspinner, she has a hat-trick against Zimbabwe.
Cri-zelda Brits became South Africa’s captain at the age of 23, standing in for Shandre Fritze in the home series against Pakistan in 2007. She followed this by captaining the side to a 3-0 series whitewash against the Netherlands as well as winning the first-ever Test between the two sides by 159 runs. In 2008 she scored her maiden ODI hundred and led South Africa to a spot in the World Cup after beating Pakistan in the Qualifiers final in Stellenbosch. She also coaches the Northwest women's team, based in Potchefstroom, and runs her own academy.
Shelley Nitschke combines playing for Australia and her state with working in cricket, as a school officer. A useful spinner, her batting is also worth talking about – she has developed into a handy allrounder. Her major achievements to date are winning the 2005 World Cup, taking 7 for 24 against England in Kidderminster in 2005 and being nominated for the ICC Women's Player of the Year in 2006-07. Although she has played netball, softball and basketball, cricket has always been her stand-out sport.
Ebony Rainford-Brent made history as one of eight England players to be handed a Chance to Shine coaching contract, allowing her flexibility around training. A top-order batsman, she fought back from what doctors thought was a career-killing back injury and could one day bowl again – calling her determined is an understatement. She is on the Surrey Academy and her Super 4s side is Diamonds. Proficient in basketball and athletics, she settled for playing cricket … and the drums.
Haidee Tiffen has played for New Zealand for more than ten years and is now their captain, having begun her career with Otago Under-21s before heading to Canterbury. She has played representational hockey, basketball and rugby – but cricket is her passion and won out over New Zealand junior hockey. She is particularly proud of winning the World Cup in 2000, reaching the 100-ODI milestone and being skipper. Her experience also includes playing for Sussex for two winters and she was also part of the first female academy in Lincoln. Somehow she also finds time to teach Health and PE at Hillmorton High School.
Isobel Joyce,a class bat with a steely mentality, comes from a family full of cricketers - twin sister Cecilia plays alongside her for Ireland and brother Dom for the men’s national team, while another brother, Ed, plays for England and Middlesex. Her first half-century came against a strong New Zealand attack in Dublin in 2004 and her figures of 4 for 20 helped her side beat Scotland by six wickets in the European Championship in 2001, where Ireland won all their three matches. Her 46 against Netherlands in the summer of 2007 helped to maintain her place in the World Cup qualifiers in South Africa. She was in outstanding form with both and ball during the tournament, scoring 148 runs at 37 and taking 10 wickets at an average of 7. She ran out five Pakistani players in Ireland's first match, before earning two successive Player-of-the-Match awards against Scotland and then Zimbabwe, against whom she scored 70 and took 4 for 10. She was named captain for their next series, against West Indies, after Heather Whelan pulled out because she was expecting.
Nadine George has been a regular for West Indies since her debut in 1999. She first led the side on their tour of Europe in June-July 2008, when West Indies thrashed Ireland and Netherlands while putting up a respectable performance against England. Nadine combines playing for West Indies and her national team, St.Lucia, with her day job as a Sergeant in the Police Marine Unit of the Royal St.Lucia Police Force. A left-hand batsman and wicketkeeper, Nadine says the highlights of her career are receiving an MBE at Buckingham Palace in 2005, being the first West Indies woman cricketer to score a century in a Test (in Pakistan in 2004), playing in the World Cup in South Africa (2005), and playing club cricket in Australia in 2006. Nadine also plays netball and volleyball and loves the marine environment and is passionate about diving. She is a qualified open water diver and during her working hours captains a 65 and 82 ft vessel. Her motto in life is "with hard work and dedication one can achieve".
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