KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar M. Khan, while speaking at a grand reception organised by Omar Associates to honour national women’s team for winning gold medal at the Asian Games in Incheon, said the board will do everything in its powers to support and promote women’s cricket at all levels in the country.

Shaharyar said the Asiad win is, indeed, a great achievement by the national women cricketers and added that with their ability and skills, they will Inshallah win another gold medal at the next edition of Asian Games.

Chief Executive Omar Associates, Nadeem Omar who is known for his tremendous support for sports and sportspersons, annou­nced a handsome cash reward of rupees one million for the women’s cricket team and its officials besides awarding a gold medal to each member of the team at the impressive ceremony held at a local hotel here.

“Exclusive grounds for the girls will be allocated and they will be taught how to combat and deal with harassment,” Shaharyar stressed.

Shaharyar Khan vows full support for national team

He said more club matches for women players will be staged to increase their standard and to give them more exposure.

He said that the PCB had received very good report on the excellent on and off the field conduct of national women players from umpires and referees during the Asian Games which is a matter of pride for the country.

He also praised the role of captain Sana Mir, coach Mohtashim Rasheed and manager Ayesha Ashar and all members of the team.

Host Nadeem Omar said the whole nation is proud of the accomplishments of Pakistan women’s cricket team for bringing honour and glory at the Asian Games.

“Hats off to Sana, Ayesha and their team which has performed superbly for the country to bring the gold medal at the Asian Games,” he said.

“These women are not far behind our men’s cricket team and their feats are definitely laudable,” said Nadeem.

He said his organisation has been at the forefront for supporting the women cricketers and urged other departments and organisations to groom their own women teams.

“Omar Associates took the lead two years ago to form its own team which is doing very well in domestic tournaments,” he said.

Nadeem is also the owner of Pakistan Cricket Club for which several national team players including Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed, Anwar Ali, Nasir Jamshed, Saad Nasim. Mohammad Irfan have featured in recent years.

He also showered special praise on his coach and close associate Azam Khan and said he has a great eye for spotting talent and is an asset for Omar Associates.

Pakistan women’s team captain Sana Mir, manager Ayesha Ashar, former Test cricketer and chief selector Salahuddin Sallu, PVCA chairman Fawad Ijaz Khan, and PCB regional women wing head Mrs N.A. Sherazi also spoke on the occasion.

The reception was also attended by former Test cricketers Sadiq Moham­mad, Shoaib Mohammad, Jalal­uddin, Nadeem Khan, KCCA president Prof Ejaz Faruqi, ex-KCCA chief Siraj Bukhari, Collector Customs Shaukat Ali, Masroor Mirza, Khalil Masood besides a large number of first class cricketers and cricket organisers.

Renowned cricket commentator and expert Mirza Iqbal Baig acted as the moderator of the event.

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2014