Adil Najam
Do you even know who Urooj Mumtaz Khan is? I did not. I am glad I now do.
It turns out she is a part of the Pakistan’s women cricket team, and her century helped Pakistan beat Hong Kong by a whopping 172 runs in a one day game. This, in turn, means Pakistan women’s team will now play in the World Cup qualifying tournament to be held in Ireland in 2007. All of this, good news.
Here are some details from CricInfo:
Powered by an unbeaten 100 from Urooj Mumtaz, Pakistan trounced Hong Kong by 172 runs in the second ODI to win the three-match series. The series victory takes Pakistan through to the Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament in Ireland in 2007. Winning the toss for the second time Mumtaz had no hesitation in batting in bright sunny conditions on a decent batting surface. Hong Kong, needing to win the match to square the series, started promisingly with the ball. But, apart from Betty Chan who bowled her ten overs for just 41 runs, as with the first match, no other bowler really managed to maintain sufficient control. They were profligate, conceding 72 extras including 68 wides… In reply Hong Kong could only muster one decent partnership – Neisha Pratt (52) added 63 runs with Natasha Miles (32) – and were shot out for 116. Mumtaz was named player of the match… The final match of the series will be at the Gadaffi Stadium, Lahore on September 21. A crowd of up to 10,000 spectators is anticipated.
While we have been following the Pakistan Men’s team, Darrel Hair, and Inzimam and also about the elegance that was Wasim Raja, the news about women’s cricket seems to have slipped by. It deserves to be celebrated. The Pakistan women’s team is relatively new to the international circuit and is currently ranked at No. 10. But it seems to have come active recently. One wishes them well for the next match in Lahore, and then onwards to Ireland.
I had also not known about this. I think that if they were to do really well in a major competition, that would do wonders for all women’s sports, and that could have larger social impacts.
[quote comment=”3026″] Europe needs to open its eyes and mind to see the talent of Pakistani women.[/quote]
Saadia,
I don’t think Europe has any problem seeing Pakistani women’s talents. It’s our own people who are short sighted and close minded. I am sure you are aware of all those discriminatory laws and attitudes in Pakistan.
If they can fly planes they can also hit the ball for six, I wonder what is impossible for Pakistani women :-). Europe needs to open its eyes and mind to see the talent of Pakistani women.
Well to be honest – I know her personally ;) her father happens to be a well known dentist in Karachi and hence the link, Dr. Mumtaz Khan. and BTW she is also on the way to becoming a dentist.
Its about time that that people like her make Pakistan proud.
Well done Urooj !!!
Nice pictures. I also did not know that they were doing so good. I think this is a very good sign of progress. I guess Musharraf should get some credit for encouraging women in sports.