THE number of spectators could be counted on two hands. This, however, did not dampen the spirits of the women cricketers of Pakistan, who were playing the first ever Test match in the country, a fact that can truly be called a victory for their efforts, even if the result of the match was a draw.
Life for Pakistan’s women cricketers has been nothing short of a roller-coaster ride. What with them contending with blatantly chauvinistic attitudes of people who wonder ‘why women should even be playing cricket at all’, to snide, under-the-belt remarks calling into question their ‘femininity’ for indulging in a ‘man’s sport’ something all women in a pioneering role have experienced all over the world.
Coupled with this was the incessant tussle to establish credentials, which has proved an uphill task domestically, rather than internationally because of the tradition of pulling down anything or anyone seen to be moving ahead.
It was with this determination in mind that the Pakistan team was playing its first home Test when the Pakistan Women’s Cricket Control Association (PWCCA) hosted the West Indian team which arrived here after a full tour of India.
The West Indians were scheduled to play a Test match and will now commence to play seven One-Day Internationals, including two that will be day-and-night fixtures.
It was indeed an historic moment when all rounder Kiran Baloch and Sajada Shah, the youngest ever International, walked onto the ground to open Pakistan’s innings. Sajada was a tender 12-years-old when she played against Ireland in 2000. The applause that followed, when they walked towards the pitch, was not for the opening of the innings. Rather it was for the fact that the match was taking place at the ground which the PWCCA really had to sweat to get. Luckily for them they got it in the best of conditions as only days earlier, Pakistan and India’s men’s cricket team had clashed in the first ODI.
It was only after the actual proceedings commenced that some of the skeptics assembled there had to sit up and take notice of the sure manner of the batswomen and nod grudgingly at the repertoire of their strokes, especially of Kiran Baloch, who played correctly, attractively and authoritatively. In fact, her skills improved as time wore on, at times displaying a complete disregard of the West Indian bowling attack.
Combining sheer talent with the polish of experience she has acquired over the years through spending the season playing cricket in England, Kiran surpassed her previous best of 74 which she had assembled against Sri Lanka in Colombo. And despite losing partners from the other end, she showed rare resilience, in process rewriting the record books. For, Kiran Baloch of Pakistan belted the West Indian bowling all around the ground and posted a score of 242, the most an individual Test batswoman has scored in an innings. The previous best was by M. Raj of India who had posted a score of 214 against England at Taunton in 2002.
Her confident and fluent stroke-play helped Pakistan post a world record total of 426 for seven wickets declared. However, it was a pity to see the crestfallen expression on young Sajada’s face when she lost her wicket on the delicate score of 98.
The West Indian team seemed to be suffering from fatigue after a long and extensive tour of India. And Pakistan’s humongous total too made its mark on the weary tourists. That was further compounded by the Pakistani skipper, Shaiza Khan, decided to a bit of record rewriting of her own.
Taking the wind out of the Windies, she struck with a hat trick, and ended the innings with figures of 7-59, in the process facing resistance only from Nadine George, who scored the first ever Test century on behalf of her country. The West Indian innings folded on 147.
By the time the visitors followed-on, it seemed that they had gotten over the travel fatigue, and the home team too was showing signs of weariness because of the unusually intense heat. This slackening on their part resulted in a very spirited reply from the West Indian team, that saw them post a total of 440, a tremendous reply that enabled them to relative safer shores by drawing the Test.
Though Pakistan skipper Shaiza came away with the disappointment of not winning the Test ,but she must be happy in securing a record match haul of 13 wickets.
However, this happiness and satisfaction was nothing compared to the relief at the tour having materialized, and credentials established after being on the tenterhooks for such a long time because of the long prevailing uncertainty that had clouded the women’s cricket scene in Pakistan.
Not only did the women display their command over the game, they won grudging admiration from many skeptics present at the NSK. Condescending remarks laced with patronizing advice had to be reworded when the seriousness of intent and sincerity of purpose of the women cricketers became crystal clear.
What the women cricketers now need to do is to build on the success of the initial removal of the hurdles, and broaden their resource base, as well as their involvement in all aspects of the game. They need to draft a long-term plan or the development of the game amongst the cricket-loving women of Pakistan, and seek assistance from whichever quarter they can muster.
People may not remember, but cricket as a game was associated with honesty, strength of character, and ethical practices. The loss of innocence in the men’s version of the game, has made us forget that cricketing traditions are all about character building, something the women are involved in on a life long basis.
Let us see this game flourish in girl’s schools and colleges. But before that can happen, a cadre of women coaches/umpires/statisticians will have to be developed to gain acceptability in the all female environment. And let the sponsors, who have been able, but not willing due to the uncertainty should now not feel hesitant anymore, and provide the much needed impetus to women’s cricket to flourish in a nation which is passionate about the game, right across the gender divide.
It is when women’s cricket is accepted as a normal part of the sporting agenda that the ladies who have been working so hard all through these years will taste true victory.
THE number of spectators could be counted on two hands. This, however, did not dampen the spirits of the women cricketers of Pakistan, who were playing the first ever Test match in the country, a fact that can truly be called a victory for their efforts, even if the result of the match was a draw.
