The Pakistan women’s team led by Sana Mir arrived in the city late last night and on Sunday, the skipper spoke about her side’s preparations, the unnecessary hassle and the status of women’s cricket back home.
Excerpts:
Do you think the time is enough having lost two warm-up games before your first match on Wednesday?
Of course every team would like to come early and that’s why warm-up games are for. But this is what we have at the moment and we have to utilise it properly.
How is your mental framework considering the controversies of the last few days?
We as cricketers have nothing to do with this controversy. We are here to play cricket and we have been playing back in Pakistan. We are clear about our role and job.
Was the women’s team also considering pulling out of the event?
Basically it was a policy from the PCB. When there are threats any board around the world would want to make sure those concerns are addressed. It was the same policy for both teams.
As a captain does your role become difficult when you have so many things distracting you off the field and how do you motivate?
Of course when you are a leader you are expected to manage situations and things like these can happen before a big tournament but that is why we are professional cricketers. This is what we have signed up and we are aware of it and we will try to give our level best.
What was going on the minds of the players when this uncertainty was going on?
At times it becomes difficult. We knew the ICC, BCCI and PCB are competent and will find a solution. We were confident we were going to play and that is what has happened.
When Pakistan assembled the women’s team, there were protests and death threats. How has women’s cricket evolved?
It has changed and people now want their daughters to play cricket. This team has changed the perceptions. There were difficult times for women cricketers in Pakistan but now I see parents coming up to me and say they want their daughters to be like us. This is the impact the team has had on the country and society as a whole. We have come a long way and there is a long way to go still. The success of the women’s cricket team has meant there are other teams the country as a whole is supporting be it badminton, our football team and squash players. Overall it is good for the women of Pakistan.
Having missed the warm-up matches, what extra preparation you did when at home?
We arranged matches against under-19 boys in Karachi and played a few games under light since three of our four matches will be played in the night.
Last year you played at home after ten years against Bangladesh. The men’s team also played a home series after a long time. Do you think good performance here could help cricket return back home?
The Zimbabwe series and the Bangladesh series has definitely helped. It is good for youngsters to see their team in front of them. I have been captain for seven years but it was my first as captain at home. These are rare moments but we will like to have more such moments.
You announced that you will be stepping down as the captain after this event. Is there anyone in the team who can take up the mantle?
There is always somebody else. This will be my last tournament as a T20 skipper. I think there are other leaders in the team whom we have been grooming over the past three-four years. I am honoured that I have captained Pakistan for seven years. So I think this is the right time for the next captain to come and settle in because we are two years away from the next World T20 and the Asian Games where we are the gold medallists. So, this would be the best time for somebody new to come in. That’s the trend I would like to set in the country because it’s very important that the leadership passes on smoothly.
When the men’s teams of India and Pakistan clash, it’s considered important. Do tempers flare when the women’s teams meet?
Pakistan-India matches are one of the most intense matches I have been a part of. We really enjoy the thrill and excitement of the match. And we don’t expect anything less.
How difficult it is not to play in Pakistan? Have you thought about not playing for Pakistan because of that?
A lot of times. There were difficult situations initially when I took over. For instance, we didn’t play a single match between the 2009 World T20 World and the 2010 edition. We went from one World Cup to another without playing an international match. Things like these come in your way to stay motivated, keep working hard. You don’t get the idea of how much improvement you need as a player to stay at the international level. So, yes, there have been a lot of times like that but I would say that my team, my team-mates, the kind of passion they have for Pakistan, my support staff and my support system — my family and friends — have been instrumental in keeping me play for Pakistan.
