Former batsman Basit Ali. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI: Former player Basit Ali, who accompanied the Pakistan women’s team as their batting consultant for the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup in India, has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to push departments to consider starting teams for female players.
He believed the best way to promote cricket among women was by providing them suitable jobs, which would not only encourage them but also their parents, who would be more willing to support their girls.
“When more departments will come up with teams for women, ultimately the standard of the game will improve in Pakistan,” Basit told The Express Tribune. “PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf had taken some positive steps for making improvements in cricket in Pakistan, and if he can officially ask departments to start making teams for girls, it would be great for women.”
The Pakistan team finished last (eighth) in the World Cup and Ali felt the players lacked the fitness levels required to do well in a 50-over format. He praised skipper Sana Mir for being a role model for the team, stating that the captain did lead her squad well despite their regular fall of wickets on several occasions during the tournament.
Omar Associates willing to form team
Meanwhile, Azam Khan, senior member of the Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA) and manager of Omar Associates, which plays a PCB grade-II tournament as well, said that they wished to form a departmental team for women.
“We’ve requested the PCB women’s wing to allow us to form the team as it will provide job opportunities for female players,” said Khan.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 14th, 2013.
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