When Pakistan women cricket team left for China to participate in the Asian Games nobody predicted that they will go onto clinch the tournament but they have defied the odds by claiming gold after defeating Bangladesh in the final of the event.
Women’s cricket has never been popular in Pakistan and as they have faced difficulties to play the game openly due to the discrimination. However, they have made the country proud despite all these problems which is an inspirational achievement for all those who bow down in front of the difficulties.What is even more exciting is the fact that this is the first gold that Pakistan has won in Guangzhou and it has come from a very unlikely source. The whole nation is ecstatic by the victory and the celebrations will continue to go on for several days.
Pakistan's first gold medal in the tournament has been welcomed by their supporters because it has come up at a time when the gentlemen’s game is going through controversies and the country is suffering from price hikes and floods.
It was Nida Dar’s all-round display which powered Pakistan to a thumping ten-wicket win over their neighbours Bangladesh in the final which was first ever women's cricket tournament in the history of Asian Games.
Pakistan’s skipper Sana Mir was overjoyed by the victory and said that the whole country must take pride in what we have achieved. She was full of praise for her teammates and added that it is pleasing the way they have carried themselves both on and off the field. This triumph is a sign of promising things to come in the future and it will boost the morale of the players giving them belief that they can mount a challenge against the likes of England, New Zealand etc.
Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has appreciated the team's win. He further said that it is a present for a nation which has been surrounded by problems.
The grand match of all turned out to be a one-sided affair as Pakistan’s bowlers ripped apart Bangladesh’s batting line up. After winning the toss Pakistan chose to field first and the decision paid off as Pakistan’s bowling attack led by Dar's off-spinners sent their opponents packing at a paltry score of 92. For Bangladesh only Rumana Ahmed and Salma Khatun managed to reach double figures scoring 16 and 24 respectively as Bangladesh, bundled out for 92 off their allotted twenty overs. Dar picked up three wickets by giving away just sixteen runs.
Pakistan made short work of the chase with openers, Dar and Javeria Khan leading the charge as they raced to the target in just over fifteen overs. Dar who was superb with the ball was equally good with the bat as well. She went onto score a fine half-century (51) which came off forty three deliveries. Her innings was laced with seven boundaries while Javeria supported her partner ably making thirty nine runs in the process with the help of three fours.
Bangladesh’s Coach Dipu Rai Choudhury, though was disappointed with the loss but was optimistic for the country’s prospect in future citing that the team will produce better results with the passage of time. The bronze medal was won by Japan, who beat China by seven wickets. In that match China were caught stumbling for a lowly 65 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs. In response to that Japan met their objective and doing so with 4 balls still to play.
