Pakistan women’s cricket team captain Sana Mir has expressed hope ahead of the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2017 in Colombo saying that the team is aiming to win the event.
Speaking to the International Cricket Council (ICC) about the team’s prospects, the women’s captain said that the tournament provides big incentives to teams which will help their progress in the future.
“We know the enormity of the task as well as its importance and that makes us more passionate and determined to do well in this event,” said Mir.
She said that the team will approach qualifier with a positive mindset, and have resolved to not only qualify for the main event which will commence later this year but also win it.
Women’s cricket has attained greater heights since it came under the ICC’s umbrella in 2005, and the improvement in women’s game is more visible now and the profile of the game has been raised globally.
The ICC Women’s World Twenty20 last year was very competitive, where South Africa tied a game against Australia, Pakistan beat India and the West Indies emerged as champions.
“As a senior pro, I feel women’s game is heading in the right direction and the improvement will be rapid in the years to come,” she said.
About the Colombo qualifiers, Mir said that she feel the format is “very good, competitive and offers all sides equal opportunity” and reminds her of ICC Women’s World Cup 2009 which was played on the same format.
The format guarantees a minimum of six matches for each side that will qualify for the pinnacle women’s event to be staged in England and Wales from 24 June and 23 July.
The qualifier has two groups of five teams each. Pakistan is grouped with South Africa, Bangladesh and Scotland and Papua New Guinea.
Mir reveals her strategy that the first task will be to qualify for the Super Six stages, and they will exploit the problems that South Africa will face problems in Asian conditions.
After progressing to the Super Sixes, Mir said that the prime goal will be to beat India and then go on to win the championship. Pakistan has not beaten India in a one-day but last year’s ICC Women’s World Twenty20 win over them will surely inspire them.
Sana Mir said that reaching the ICC Women’s World Cup will be a great achievement. She recalls leading team in the 2013 event, and as Urooj Mumtaz’s deputy for the Sydney tournament in 2009.
“On a personal front, it has been a long journey for me. I am satisfied with what I have achieved. Leading Pakistan has been a great honor,” she reminisces.
She thanked the Pakistan Cricket Board for the trust shown in her saying that she has always strived to lift the team’s standards in general and women’s game in particular.
Sana Mir is also reminded of a personal milestone of needing two wickets to become the 15th bowler to claim 100 or more wickets in One-Day Internationals.
However, she said that while it will be a big personal achievement her main focus is to give a perfect performance for the team.
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