Grameenphone Women’s Tri-Nation Series
Bangladesh better now
Ameeruddin Zain
Bangladesh women’s cricket team captain Salma Khatun believes that her team has come a long way since the Asia Cup in Colombo last year.
“We have played two practice matches prior to the series and I think we are a much improved side now,” said Salma during the trophy unveiling ceremony of the tri-nation women’s cricket tournament at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.
The tournament involving Sri Lanka, Pakistan and hosts Bangladesh will commence in Bogra on Friday. It is also the first international tournament for the women in the country after the visit of Hong Kong last year.
While the Bangladesh woman cricketers will consider this tournament as an opportunity to make an impression as part of their effort to win the one-day international status, Sri Lanka and Pakistan will treat it as a build-up to the ICC Women’s World Cup in Australia next month.
The Lankan skipper Sashikala Siriwardane said it is the only major competition her team will take part ahead of the World Cup. The Lankan ladies lost to neighbours India in May last year in the Asia Cup final but are confident to mark their supremacy in this meet.
Urooj Mumtaz Khan who leads the Pakistani outfit admitted that it is difficult to play cricket in Pakistan being a woman; but things are gradually changing and as more women take part in the country’s premier sport and with international tournaments like these, women’s cricket in Pakistan can definitely move forward. Asked whether most girls in Pakistan women’s cricket stem from any particular class, Urooj claimed that it does not make any difference as talent will always make its way irrespective of its origin.
“International matches makes all the difference but there are other alternatives to prepare for big events, such as playing the men’s team in the under-15s or under-19s which is what we did before arriving in Dhaka,” said the self-assured Mumtaz in the captains’ press conference.
Country’s leading cellular operators Grameenphone is sponsoring the series and it has been a major sponsor ever since the Board has taken up women’s cricket seriously a couple of years ago.
“When we started out in 1997 one of our main objectives was women’s empowerment, so it’s a great opportunity for us to sponsor this tri-nation and take women’s cricket forward,” said GP’s chief communications officer Rubaba Dowla. Also present during the announcement was BCB marketing and commercial chairman Aziz Al Kaisar and women’s wing chairman Abdullah Al Fuad.
The teams will travel to Bogra today to play the three opening matches while Khulna will play host to the remaining round robin league matches where teams meet each other twice.
The final will be held on February 17 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
Courtesy: thedailystar.net
