We always knew that the World Cup was going to be a learning experience and if we needed a lesson in how to deliver one of the best batting performances of all time then we saw it on Thursday with Suzie Bates and Haidee Tiffen’s amazing 262-run partnership.
Suzie’s innings in particular was the best-ever innings I have ever seen, even if we did help her by bowling both sides of the wicket. The way she powerfully struck our bowlers all around the ground was quite incredible and a great lesson for us to observe.
The New Zealand and Pakistan teams have become very close during this event, ever since we played a warm-up game against each other, and they have been very helpful at passing on tips to us about how to make it at the top level.
They perhaps weren’t as kind to me when they hit 20 runs off my only over, but you certainly learn a lot more quickly when you are playing against the top players, rather than just watching footage on television or following the scores on the internet.
We need to learn from the way New Zealand works the ball around for singles during its batting, as well as improving our counter-attack play, especially ahead of the World Twenty20 in June, as sometimes we get too bogged down when we are batting. That comes with match experience, as well as more time in the gym, and we are all dedicated to improving our games.
Haidee Tiffen, at the post-match presentation, said some really nice things about our team and we are really proud that we have made such a big impression on one of the leading teams at the event. I know that Nain Abidi was very happy that Haidee took the time to come up to her and congratulate her on her fifty, which is a great effort against a quality bowling attack like New Zealand.
It would be great to finish off our memorable campaign with a win against the West Indies, who I think we played our best game against during this tournament.
To come from tenth in the world rankings in early 2008 to fifth in the world in 2009 would be an incredible achievement and a real inspiration to girls in Pakistan to take up the sport.
I don’t want to lose my place in the team just yet, but it would be fantastic to think that we can inspire a new generation of girls to play the game, in the same way that the victory of the Pakistan’s men’s team at the World Cup in 1992 inspired me to play the sport for the first time.
The New Zealand team has said it will be supporting us against West Indies, while we will definitely be cheering them against England in the final. I just can’t wait for the weekend matches to begin!
Posted by: King of Heart at March 20, 2009 7:24 AM
I am perhaps the first one to comment out here in this blog. Any way its good to know that Kiwis have been helpful to you. And your team did very well too. You just need a little more experience with of course a lot of practice, then you will become one of finest teams in the World. To me you are lacking a couple of players who could score fast. The game of Cricket has been changed now, specially since the T20 format came into picture. Now in any kind of Cricket either its 5 day or 50 over game, you should have the ability to score fast which is the key to lead you or chase a bigger score. So good luck in the future.
Posted by: Aaishah Khan at March 20, 2009 7:33 AM
Go paki Go
yes Urooj you did play a very good game and Kiwiz where awsan aswell
i will be ther on saterday for my team
and inshallah yes we win and you can take your place as 5th home..
keep safe
love your pakistani sister ...
Posted by: Kalyan at March 20, 2009 7:48 AM
Your team did great. That you were in the Super 6 was an achievement in itself. I hope you had a lot of fun as well as inspiration to take back home.
Remember, these are early days for PAK Women team. Ten years from now, you should see this WC as the starting point of your steady progress to the top tier of Women's cricket
Posted by: Saby at March 20, 2009 8:38 AM
Just one comment..............Well tried Pakistan even though it was difficult for you all to practise the way we can in India.
Posted by: Jenny at March 20, 2009 9:42 AM
Keep going, Urooj - you and your girls are a credit to your nation.
Posted by: Zainab Khan at March 20, 2009 10:38 AM
Urooj, I totally agree with you about the learning experience from NZ, I was there at the game, and no doubt it was first class cricket. However, our Pakistani team will go a long way to the top, and just always remember you have supporters with you all the way. I am very proud of you and the teams efforts and dedication, it's all and learning experience and I know this team has the capability to learn and go far. I am looking forward for tomorrow's match! It's been great to have you all in Sydney, we have enjoyed every match we've come to, I hope all our cheers and chants with the dhol have really pumped you during the game. Well done once again, keep up your good spirit and all the best for the future. Pakistan Zindabad
Posted by: Tim Jones at March 20, 2009 12:38 PM
I'm from New Zealand, and I'm delighted our team has made the final, but I've also been very impressed with how Pakistan has improved over the tournament - and especially with how your side's batting has got better since your first match. I've also enjoyed reading your blog posts.
All the best for the game against the West Indies, and I wish the Pakistan team further success in future.
Posted by: Imtiaz Anwar at March 20, 2009 1:23 PM
I really didnt think this day would come but it has i.e me watching pakistani girls playing cricket. But Hats off to you guys. You showed quite a lot of guts doing what you guys did. So keep up the good work.
Posted by: Mohammed Anwar at March 20, 2009 1:59 PM
Hi Urooj Baji,this is Anwar from India..A brother from across the border.I have been following your team's progress since your first World Cup match and I am forced to say that''You girls have won this World Cup already''.Trust me,qualifying for the first time and winning two games is an achievement in itself.I am from India,but I am proud of your teams determination and commitment.Your team has exceeded all expectations and I am sure this is the benchmark for future achievements.If I had been PCB Chairman,I would have tried my best to set up a separate new stadium exclusively for the Women's team with all training facilities and a Coach.Without the facilities that are available to other teams,you girls have won hearts merely by determination.Please focus on developing this team and Inshallah Urooj Mumtaz will be remembered always.Please convey my regards to every player of the team and tell that an Indian across the border prays for you and salutes you.You girls deserve a celebration
Posted by: AG at March 20, 2009 3:22 PM
Well done. hope your participation brings some normalcy to pakistan and inspires more girls to take up cricket
Posted by: Najeeb at March 20, 2009 5:22 PM
Considering that women's cricket is in its infancy in Pakistan, and the lack of support for you guys..... I think it was a commendable performance and I think you can only improve form here on.....best of luck
Posted by: Hafsa A at March 20, 2009 6:29 PM
I hope your team can repeat the excellent performance against the West Indies. We're very proud of you. You're the only good news with the word Pakistan in it, these days so keep us the good work and make us prouder :)
Posted by: saff at March 20, 2009 9:49 PM
You guys have done a tremendous job.....in stark contrast to your male counterparts.....who exited the world cup in the first rounds of both the 03 and 07 editions....getting into the super sixes is an incredible achievement, i just wish that our men's cricket team start taking things seriously as well and for once justifies the amount of time n money spent on them....we have decorated them as "prima donna's"....but the results have been frugal! hopefully under younis khan our team can flourish and retrieve some of the lost glory.
Posted by: Sefal Khan at March 23, 2009 1:33 AM
Hello Captain - you and your team have done a great job. We enjoyed every match your team played in Sydney. You will get better and better in time. I hope you enjoyed Sydney and got to see the SCG. Have a nice trip back home - salute our Pakistan for me. Have a great future.
Posted by: Rashid Siddiqui at March 23, 2009 3:35 PM
I think Pak Women team did very well against all the odds. I hope after seeing such a good performance more and more girls start participating in sporting activities in Pakistan. Congratulations for a job well done!
Posted by: Asghar Khan at March 23, 2009 4:13 PM
Super effort ladies. Your team is another example of the fact that our women can compete the best in the world and came out with respect. I am so happy about the succes of Pakistani women cricket team. Just one thing that now we will be expecting even better things from your gang in future. I am sure we will be champs soon.
Posted by: kiwifan at March 24, 2009 10:01 AM
As a Kiwi who saw four of the Pakistan games, I was really impressed by the way the team developed during the tournament. You have a potentially world-class left-arm seamer in Almas Akram - what a pity she got injured before the game against New Zealand. Your fielding was generally outstanding, and was close to the best overall in the tournament. You've come a long way since 1997 - get the batting sorted out and you'll be in the top four no later than 2017.
Posted by: mariam at March 24, 2009 5:15 PM
Well Done Pak! from qualifying for the worldcup to winning two matches and entering the super sixes round, you girls have been awesome and we are all proud of you! Urooj, you and your girl's have paved way for female cric back home...i guess this is the int'l exposure we were all awaiting! GO Pak Go!
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".
RSS Feed
