Merissa Aguilleira and Bismah Maroof on a camel at Karachi beach
The West Indies women’s tour of Pakistan a couple of weeks ago — for the three T20 match series in Karachi and another three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) in Dubai — wasn’t just about cricket. It was about winning hearts.
Before this, the West Indies women had last come to Pakistan in 2004 for a Test and several ODIs. The only member from that squad who made a return to Pakistan this time was Anisa Mohammad. For the rest of the team, it was their first time in Pakistan. But that didn’t keep them from mingling with the crowd, comprising of school and college girls mostly, at Karachi’s Southend Club where the T20 matches were played, and dancing with them while posing for photos and as many selfies as were requested.
‘ALL SAFE AND GOOD’
Skipper and wicket-keeper Merissa Ria Aguilleira says they loved the crowd and how they interacted with them was spontaneously. “When we are visiting a country for a series or championship, we are also there to market the sport and we are mindful of that and careful about the way we behave,” she says.
Eos spoke to some of the West Indies women who recently concluded their first Pakistan tour in 15 years. They came to conquer hearts and they succeeded
About coming to Pakistan, she said her friend Darren Sammy convinced her to go. “He told me that it was a safe and a great country to boot with very friendly people and that I would really like it here. He was right. It’s all safe and good,” she smiles.
Sharing her first impressions of Pakistan, Aguilleira says that she wouldn’t forget the drive to their hotel from the airport after landing in Karachi. “The entire route had so much security,” she recalls. “Security was also the reason we didn’t go out to explore the city.”
Nevertheless, Aguillera got to see a little bit more of Karachi compared to her team. The Windies captain was captured in photographs riding a camel at the Karachi beach with Pakistan women’s team captain Bismah Maroof at the unveiling of the T20 series trophy. “Your country can be compared to our Moruga in Trinidad and Tobago, though it is never this chilly there. Also I had never ridden a camel before. I was terrified, especially when it was going to sit again after standing up,” she laughs.
DAVID AND GOLIATH?
For West Indies’ six-foot-tall fast bowler Shamilia Connell it was the people of Pakistan rather than the country that reminded her of home. “The people here are as friendly as in the Caribbean,” she says.
She also had a message for the young girls who had come to watch them play in Karachi. “I’m sure there are many among them who would be inspired to play cricket professionally someday,” she says. “Go follow your dreams. Don’t look back, no matter what life throws at you. Set your goals and just do your best. And remember, everything you put your mind to will be yours one day.”