ISLAMABAD: Pakistan women’s cricket team captain Bismah Maroof is confident of putting on a good show at the upcoming tri-series in Ireland and the Commonwealth Games as the team’s 10-day training session concluded here.
The Bismah-led Pakistani team will now depart for Belfast via Dubai on July 12, as the Green Shirts take two days of Eid vacation tomorrow and Monday.
The Pakistani contingent continued to take part in various training sessions over the last nine days in Rawalpindi and Islamabad at Pindi Cricket Stadium and House of Northern.
Despite persistent rain in the region, the team held indoor practices that included impromptu exercises, networking sessions and scenario-based matches.
In addition to batting and bowling drills, the Green Shirts also focused on fielding and physical fitness under the supervision of support staff, led by head coach David Hemp.
After her arduous training camp, Captain Bismah is confident in her team’s ability to perform well against formidable teams in the two major series even though persistent rain has hampered their preparations.
“Our preparation has suffered a bit due to persistent rains as we were unable to play practice matches so we had to shift our focus more to fitness. We tried to make the most of the indoor facilities that were provided to us and that was a good help in the midst of the weather challenges,” said Bismah.
“The tri-series in Ireland gives us a good opportunity to acclimatize to the conditions ahead of the Commonwealth Games. We have a good team mix with youngsters like Tuba Hassan, Ayesha Naseem and Fatima Sana who bring real energy, skill and talent, they are the ones of the future and this tour is a real opportunity for them to make a big impression,” he added. .
“At the Commonwealth Games, we take on the challenge of facing formidable opponents, as to be successful there we need to beat the big teams, our goal would be to achieve victory,” he concluded.
It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan will play their first game of the tri-series against Australia on July 16. The team will play Australia and Ireland twice in the competition before the top two teams compete in the final.
The contingent will then fly to Birmingham for the Commonwealth Games and take on Barbados on July 29 to kick off their campaign before taking on arch-rivals India on July 31 and Australia on August 3. All Commonwealth Games cricket matches will be held at the Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham.
Equipment: Bismah Maroof (captain), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Gul Feroza (goalkeeper), Iram Javed, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (goalkeeper), Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal and Tuba Hassan.
Support staff: Ayesha Ashhar (manager), David Hemp (head coach), Saleem Jaffer (bowling coach), Muhammad Zubair Ahmed (analyst) and Rifat Asghar Gill (physiotherapist).
Pakistan Calendar:
Tri-series in Belfast
July 16 – v AustraliaJuly 19 – v. IrelandJuly 23 – v AustraliaJuly 24 – v. Ireland
Commonwealth Games in Birmingham
July 29 – v. BarbadosJuly 31 – v IndiaAugust 3 – v Australia
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