Pakistan's Nain Abidi hopes to return to international fray

Pakistan women’s team batsman says she focused on fitness during nine-month gap

KARACHI: Pakistan women’s team batsman Nain Abidi is all set to return to the national side after a gap of nine months.

Nain, who last represented Pakistan in the 50-over format back in mid-2017 before she left the country for six months following her marriage, is back in the country to serve the team once again.

And Nain, who moved to the US after her marriage, said that staying away from cricket has been really ‘difficult’ for her.

“Staying away from cricket is always difficult, I have played professional cricket for 11 years so going and staying away from cricket was the most difficult part after marriage,” she said. “I moved to a country where cricket is not popular and the weather conditions aren’t favourable either. So I was totally out of cricket for eight months. I didn’t even hold a bat in the field to practice for the game. I just enjoyed the weather and focused on my fitness.”

The management of the Pakistan Women’s cricket team undertook a fitness test just before the T20 Departmental Cup in Karachi for the selection of the national team for upcoming Asia Cup and all participants passed with flying colours.

And Nain revealed that despite being away from the game, she has always found time to focus on her fitness.

“I knew that whenever I plan to go back to Pakistan and play for my country I will have to be super fit for the game,” said Nain, who was not able to take part in the fitness test. “I have been working on my fitness since the day I left. Not a single day have I missed for exercise. I just wanted that whenever I go back, I should be ready for the test.”

She further added that she is aware of what is required to hold the crease for a long time and she has been working on improving exactly that.

“I knew what is required to stay on the crease for a longer time and score. We in Pakistan don’t have the habit of staying on the crease as we don’t play much longer format games,” she said before adding that she has been in contact with her trainer and that she is working on her diet. “I kept my diet light. The diet back there in the US is quite heavy but I tried to keep my diet balanced and worked on my calf, triceps, biceps and my main focus was on my abs and back,” she said.

While Nain understands the importance of staying fit, the 32-year-old also knows the importance of consistency — a department where she lacks.

“My biggest weakness right now is that I am not consistent in my performances. I perform in a match then after two three innings I play match winning innings. So the gap between my winning knocks is my main target and I want to end those gaps and keep my performance up in every innings,” she said.

Talking about her favorite number in the batting order, she said that she is comfortable batting at any number. “Wherever my services are required I will give my best and perform for the team. I want to make my team [ZTBL] win the final with my performance and make a comeback in the team with the upcoming Asia Cup,” she said.