Historic win

The win not only highlighted team’s willingness to put in effort far beyond its capabilities, but repaid PCBs'...

Millions sat disgusted and disgruntled by Pakistan’s bland performance against India on September 30 but the following morning, some of that pain paved way for rejoice aplenty as Sana Mir’s team eked out the closest of wins against India — Pakistan Women’s first-ever World Twenty20 win in the nine matches it has played.

Prior to the event, Mir’s implausible aims of conquering all that was to come before her team worried many. Critics questioned the logic behind the captain letting go of reality and hanging on to far-fetched hopes — bordering desperation — knowing full well that despite chances of a passing upset, bringing home the trophy remained a very distant dream. Pakistan’s final group match — also their last match of the sojourn — followed losses against England and Australia and was inconsequential as far as progress was concerned. So there was not much, really, to play for. Except that the opponents were India.

The win not only highlighted the team’s willingness to put in effort far beyond what it was capable of, but also repaid the trust the cricket board and the fans placed in it. Three years ago, women’s cricket started making a move upwards. In 2010, Pakistan won the Asian Games gold. The following year, the Pakistan Cricket Board handed out central contracts to the women’s team for the first time. The financial incentive was nowhere close to what the men’s team gets but it gave hope to the girls and their parents that female cricket was now becoming a profession.

Mir’s words may have an air of improbable intent about them but with an army background, having grown up mastering the art of spin on the streets, she has done what her idol Imran Khan did — instil self-belief in the players while not shying away from taking responsibility. The win may be a one-off, but the one-run margin is a huge reminder to the male counterparts that attention — and following — will now be shared.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 2^nd, 2012.