Woman on fire

Sidra scored massive 176 runs against Ireland, shattering many records

On November 4, Pakistan and Ireland’s women’s teams faced each in the first ODI of the three-match series at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.

The atmosphere was lit up by Pakistan’s opening pair, Sidra Ameen and Muneeba Ali while batting first. The two contributed 221 runs together before Muneeba got out after scoring 107 runs. However, losing her partner did not bother Sidra and she continued to bat in her merry way.

She went on to score the highest score for Pakistan women, 176, surpassing her senior teammate Javeria Khan’s 133.

The historic inning did not only shatter Pakistani records, in fact, but she also became the fifth-highest run-getter in an ODI inning in women’s cricket.

“I am still in a little bit of a daze as I did not expect to break the record at the start of the match or even during the inning,” said Sidra while talking to Bol News. “Once I gained momentum after hitting my first fifty runs, I realised that probably I can score more and it is with Allah’s blessing that I achieved the record.”

The 30-year-old has already scored three centuries in 2022 and is on the verge of breaking the record of posting the most number of tons in a calendar year by a female cricketer. She knows about the potential record but is unbothered by it as it can add extra pressure on her. “I don’t set my eyes on records as such, it just adds to the pressure that we are already carrying on the field,” she said. “If it is meant to happen, it will happen, otherwise, there’s always the next year. My job is just to set my eyes on the day’s play and do my best in each inning.”

The right-handed batter recalled her struggle when she was not offered a central contract for three years and she had to work her heart out to book her place in the squad and earn the contract. She maintained that it was her friends, family and teammates that helped her in the difficult time.

Now, back in the side and finding her prime form, she is happy with how things are progressing. She is hopeful that there is no turning back for her now.

“I am grateful for all the support behind me, my family and friends have been constantly supportive throughout the years. My peers have been helpful in times that were tough,” she stated. “Today I am truly happy that I have made a record for myself and my team and it is onwards and upwards from here.”

The Girls-in-Green dominated Ireland in the series, winning it 3-0. Sidra was the outstanding performer in the campaign, scoring 176 (not out), 91 (not out) and 10 runs in the three games, respectively. With her 495 runs in three games, she became the highest run-scorer for Pakistan in a three-match ODI series.

After achieving so much in the ODI affair, Sidra is now focused on their three-match T20I series against the Irish women.

“There are more matches left in the series and we hope to continue this form in them and impress with our game,” she maintained.

She furthered that it is a home series, so there is more interest in it. The whole unit is happy to play in front of the home crowd, acknowledging the fact that it also adds a different kind of pressure on players.

She also elaborated on the home-ground advantage, which the men’s and women’s teams missed for about a decade.

“It is truly the best feeling in the world to be playing at home, at Gaddafi Stadium,” she said. “These are conditions we know, the pitches we are familiar with. It not only gives us a huge advantage, but it also makes the game more enjoyable for us.

“Secondly, to have my friends and family in the crowd is a massive source of joy. With every ball I see them cheering me on. On every big hit, they are the ones celebrating it, of course, it makes an immense difference.”

Sidra was fortunate to play in front of her immediate family and friends and it motivated her to do even better on the field.

“My parents are here, my sisters and brothers-in-law are here and even the children are here, every time I hit big or even rotate the strike, all I see is them cheering me on. It automatically motivates a player to perform better.”

The opening batter feels she can even better her own record and she will be aiming to contribute even more consistently for her team now.

“I think anything is possible, just like I was able to make my way back into the team, I am capable of making another such record and improving on my existing stats, that’s the goal for me now,” said a determined Sidra. “I have to just be consistent, keep my head down and concentrate on playing my best game from one match to another.”

Delving back into her career, she reminisced that her formal cricket career started in school when she was spotted by a coach at Kinnaird college and then they waited a couple of years until she finished school. The budding cricketer was then offered admission on the sports quota and then she eventually progressed to the Under-19 circuit.

After putting up impressive performances in the age cricket, she was then picked for the national side. “I also used to bowl when I was playing in my college but soon dropped it to focus purely on batting and it seems to have paid off quite well in the end,” Sidra said.

When she started her career, she idolised the likes of Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar and Pakistan’s highest Test run-getter Younis Khan. Moreover, she also admired the talent of Umar Akmal who promised a fortune for Pakistan.

“Now, of course, I appreciate the likes of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan,” she mentioned. “In our times, it is essential for cricketers to stay up to date and learn from their contemporaries, so I not only observe their game but try and adopt it to become a better player.”

Since Ramiz Raja took over the Pakistan Cricket Board’s reins, he has been talking about initiating a Pakistan Super League-like tournament for women.

Recently, the cricket governing body in the country made an official announcement of the T20 league for female cricketers and it has got all players excited about the prospect.

“I and the rest of the girls are already very excited about the upcoming league. It is heartening to see that the PCB under Chairman Ramiz Raja’s reign is focusing so much on women’s cricket and we will continue to deliver positive results so that they see that their efforts are not going to waste.”

The opening batter also expressed satisfaction over various other measures taken by the board for the betterment of women’s cricket in Pakistan. “All in all they are doing a lot, we are happy to see all of these positive changes and hope that they will be beneficial for us and for the country’s sports scene.”

Talking about her future as a sportswoman, Sidra said she believes she has a lot to offer to her team and also to her Pakistan cricket fans. “My philosophy in life has been to keep my eyes on the journey and keep enjoying it.

That is what I am doing and that is what I will continue to do as I am nowhere near done. There is a long way for me to go and I am focused on improving my game and working on bettering my strategy and skill on the field.”