LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has inducted left-arm spinner Anam Amin into women’s national squad after fast bowler Sumaiya Siddiqi got her finger fractured.

Sumaiya who broke her finger during a practice match two days back has been replaced with spinner Anam just hours before the national team departure to Australia scheduled in the wee hours of Friday.

When contacted Pakistan team manager Ayesha Ashar told Dawn that doctor had advised Sumaiya three-and-a-half weeks rest. However, she said the injured fast bowler would be part of the team which would defend the title in the Asian Games slated to be held in September at Incheon, South Korea.

When asked why a spinner had been included in place of a fast bowler, Ayesha said though the team had four fast bowlers, Anam did a good job in the training camp which helped her in her selection.

It is instructive to note that fast bowler Irum Javed was already in the team as a reserve and might have been the best replacement of a fast bowler.

When asked if it was not against principles to replace a fast bowler with a spinner, Ayesha said selectors might have different mind after seeing the performance of Anum in the training camp.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2014