Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming world cup is pretty exciting, some newbies with a lot of potential have been given a chance. An uncapped player Ayesha Naseem will be making her world cup debut, she is known for her attacking style of playing.
Ayesha came into limelight during the Skills2Shine U18 T20 Women Cricket Championship in which she scored 97 runs at an average of 48.50 in four matches, her six-hitting capability impressed the selectors. She also performed impressively in the recent National Triangular T20 Women’s Cricket Championship by scoring at a strike rate of over 206.
Ayesha is just 15-years-old, she was born in Karachi, her keen interest in cricket made her move to Abbottabad to pursue Cricket further.
“Whenever we start off in life, we come across challenges and criticism. And, the same was true for me”, Ayesha said.
“From where I come from people don’t allow their daughters outside homes. When I had begun playing proper cricket, the people in my neighborhood started to criticize that. They used to complain to my parents and asked them to stop me from playing. These were the challenges that I confronted, but that did not deter me. Rather, I took this as a challenge to progress further and it made me work more hard to achieve my goals”
“I had received several offers from the coaches of Lahore and Karachi to move to these cities because the societal atmosphere did not allow me to practice daily.”
“But, I wanted to play cricket while staying in Abbottabad because I wanted to change how people think. I want people to send their daughters to the playing field because there is a lot of talent in them and they can achieve a lot. All they need is their parents’ trust”- she adds.
It was Ayesha’s brother who introduced her to the game which developed into her passion.
“I was born in Karachi and spent my early days in the city. My brother used to take me along when he played cricket. When I grew up, he used to play with me. I started off my proper cricketing career in 2015 when I made my debut for the Abbottabad region.” I had been playing with boys from the start because of which I had a quick bat swing. That has worked in my favor as it turned me into a hard-hitting batter”.
On her ICC debut, this is what Ayesha Naseem had to say – “There is no pressure on me. Every player wants to play the World Cup for their country but there are a few lucky ones who are able to do it. I consider myself very lucky. My selection has been on the basis of my ability to play aggressive cricket and I will look to fulfill my role by making the most of the Powerplay when I make my debut”.
Pakistan Women’s Cricket team has landed in Australia, they will commence their World cup journey on 26th February against West Indies
Pakistan squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup: Bismah Maroof (captain), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Iram Javed, Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Nawaz (wicketkeeper) and Syeda Aroob Shah.
Officials: Syed Iqbal Imam (head coach), Saleem Jaffer (bowling coach), Amir Iqbal (fielding coach), Gemaal Hussain (strength & conditioning coach), Dr. Riffat Asghar Gill (physio), Aisha Jalil (team manager)
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
Source: app.com.pk
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