ISLAMABAD - Pakistan women cricket team captain Sana Mir looks quite optimistic about the upcoming Bangladeshi women cricket team's tour of Pakistan terming it helpful for green caps ahead of their tours to West Indies and ICC World T20.
Pakistan women team will visit West Indies next month to play a series against them while next year, they will feature in the ICC World T20 Cup in India starting from March.
Talking to The Nation, Sana said: “Bangladeshi women cricket team is quite tough and they have also a few good players among their ranks. We have a one-week long training camp at Southend Club which will also prove helpful to take on Bangladesh team in a better way. We will assemble soon after Eid holidays and play two T20 internationals in Karachi and same number of One-day International in Lahore.”
Sana said now overall security condition of the country was quite satisfied. “Previously, Zimbabwe cricket team had toured Pakistan and played matches in Lahore. It was tremendous atmosphere and the masses turned up in quite a few numbers. Although it was male team, which visited Pakistan, yet the way they were provided blanket security, they were highly satisfied and full of praise. The Bangladesh women team will be also be provided foolproof security and they will enjoy their tour.”
“Pakistan women team currently fifth in ODIs ranking and at number seventh in T20 rankings. We have four female players in the ICC top 20 list, and I want that number to rise to around 7 or 8 or may be more. We have top class players, but due to lack of media attention, female cricket in Pakistan is not given proper exposure, which is highly unjustified. Females have also done remarkably well in the recent past, so we deserve better treatment. It is our right, which we have earned through our consistent performances and winning medals for the country. We are also carrying national flag and working tirelessly to bring more glories for Pakistan,” women team captain asserted.
When asked the women team felt comfortable with former PCB women wing chairperson Bushra Aitezaz or with present set up, Sana said: “I have discussed this issue in detailed with the PCB and I would not like to discuss it publicly. We just want to focus on playing for the country and leave all the things behind. After West Indies tour, we will depart for Huston, USA to play two exhibition matches. We are working day and night and hopefully, the efforts of the coaches and players will yield positive results and we will be able to win international titles for Pakistan just like male players. “I request media to give due coverage to female sports, especially cricket, so that we may also work with more devotion and dedication. Everybody needs appreciation and I am quite sure, if we are treated properly, we have the potential to excel at international level and win glories for the country,” Sana concluded.