“I want to bat with higher strike rate every time I am in middle for my team,” says Aliya Riaz

The cricketing streets are ready to welcome an array of fixtures lined up. With the exotic IPL and T20 world cup lined up for masses, this year is surely special for the lovers of the shorter format. For fans of the women cricketers, the T20 world cup is no less than a feast.

 

Aliya Riaz. Pic Credits: ICC
Aliya Riaz. Pic Credits: ICC

 

The Aussie soil shall play the host featuring names that are known to all admirers of the game. Interestingly, the teams wish to leave no stone unturned. The heavyweights of the game shall face each other before the tournament. India, Australia, and England will enter the tournaments will loads of practice against each other.

Nonetheless, it will be naïve to turn down the hopes for other teams in the tournament. The shorter format of the game is sure to deliver some setbacks from the so-called underdogs. One of the most happening teams to take part in the event can be Pakistan. The male team has been one of the most lethal teams in the format. However, things have not been similar to the female side.

The team needs consistency and wins to kick start a tale which may set precedence for younger players. Aliya Riaz is one of the names that shall be the pillar for Pakistani victory. Being an all-rounder, she has an immense to play in the tournament. Recently, she has expressed her desire for enhancing her power hitting skills. Interestingly, T20Is have always needed power hitters to change the momentum of games at crucial stages. The 27-year-old all-rounder is known for her lethal batting style. Moreover, she has been handy with the ball and has been a permanent member of the side for a while.

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Her presence in the team will bring important experience to the ground. She has been an important part of the Pakistani camp in the 2018 world cup where she had a decent spell with the ball. This time around she would look to star with the bat. She dreams of having the record for the quickest half-century or century for her side. In conversation with Geo TV, she was quoted saying that she will focus on contributing with both bat and ball. Further, her focus, as stated, would be to bat with a high strike rate when the calls her in middle.

Pakistan Women's Cricket team. PC: PCB/Twitter
Pakistan Women’s Cricket team. PC: PCB/Twitter

 

The Pakistani side is yet to register a highlighting outing in the world cups and T20s. Considering performances against England in December, the team has started to gear up and players are taking part in a camp held at Hanif Mohammed High-Performance center in Karachi. While briefing the media house of the developments in the camp, Aliya showed her belief in the preparations. The batting collapse and the fast bowling, she assured, have been looked upon. With the tournament kicking in next month, it is a high team for the women in green to pull their socks up and break their barriers and the baggage of past performances.

2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup – Pakistan

Warm-ups

February 16: Pakistan v India
February 20: Pakistan v Bangladesh

Tournament

February 26: Pakistan v West Indies
February 28:  Pakistan v England
March 01:  Pakistan v South Africa
March 03:  Pakistan v Thailand
March 5: Semi-final 1, SCG
March 5: Semi-final 2, SCG
March 8: Final, MCG

Shubham Kumar

A student who enjoys studying cricket more than anything else, keen to learn the insights of the women’s game.

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