Pakistan's experienced woman cricketer Nahida Khan is all set to try his luck in coaching during the upcoming Pakistan Cup.
The right-handed batter transformed herself into a permanent opener in the national side and struck eight half-centuries – all in One-Day Internationals. She went on to make 2,014 runs in 120 matches. Her last international outing was in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand.
Nahida will be the assistant coach of Blasters, which will be captained by Muneeba Ali.
"I have always been willing to take up new challenges since my childhood and that helped me grow," Nahida told PCB Digital on the sidelines of a practice session on Thursday. "I have had a passion for coaching and as a player I was always curious about this art," she added.
With her in-depth understanding of the game and years of experience, Nahida's decision to become a coach was met with widespread support and excitement as she received certifications from the PCB and ACC. She deputised Taufeeq Umar, the head coach of Amazons, in the Women’s League exhibition matches earlier in the year. Amazons won that three-match series – part of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s efforts to pave way for the launch of women’s T20 league.
Reflecting on her stint during the Women’s League exhibition matches, she said: "Coaching the Amazons team in the Women's League exhibition matches was a fantastic experience. It was a privilege to work with talented players from different countries, exchanging ideas and strategies to enhance the game."
She wants to be an inspiration for the millions of girls who want to take up cricket as a profession. “I want these girls to see me as their examples. If they cannot become cricketers, they can take up other roles in the sport," she concluded.
Squads for the Pakistan Cup Women’s Cricket Tournament
Blasters: Muneeba Ali (captain), Aleena Shah, Anam Amin, Asma Amin, Ayesha Bilal, Ayesha Javed, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Fajar Naveed, Iram Javed, Kainat Imtiaz, Saba Nazir, Saiqa Riaz, Zaib-un-Nisa and Zunera Shah
Support staff: Mauhtashim Rashid (head coach), Nahida Bibi (assistant coach), Qurat ul Ain Kazmi (manager) and Areesha Anwar (physiotherapist)
Challengers: Sadia Iqbal (captain), Aima Saleem, Amber Kainat, Areesha Noor, Fareeha Mehmood, Fatima Zehra, Huraina Sajjad, Javeria Khan, Javeria Rauf, Kaynat Hafeez, Maham Tariq, Masooma Zehra, Noreen Yaqoob, Saima Malik and Warda Yousaf
Support staff: Taufeeq Umar (head coach), Hajra Sarwar (assistant coach), Shagufta Kazim (manager) and Bisma Ahmed (Physiotherapist)
Dynamites: Sidra Amin (captain), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Fatima Shahid, Ghulam Fatima, Humna Bilal, Khadija Chishti, Laiba Nasir, Maham Manzoor, Nashra Sundhu, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sidra Nawaz, Waheeda Akhtar and Yusra Amir
Support staff: Waseem Yousafi (head coach), Rehmat Gull (assistant coach), Saira Iftikhar (manager) and Ammara Fatima (physiotherapist)
Strikers: Fatima Sana (captain), Anoosha Nasir, Dua Majid, Eyman Fatima, Fatima Khan, Gull Feroza, Gulrukh, Lubna Behram, Najiha Alvi, Natalia Parvaiz, Sadaf Shamas, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tuba Hassan and Umm-e-Hani
Support staff: Mohsin Kamal (head coach), Muhammad Kamran (assistant coach), Aisha Jalil (manager) and Rabia Siddiq (physiotherapist)
Tournament schedule (matches to start at 9am):
First phase (T20 format)
19 May – Dynamites vs Blasters, State Bank Ground, Challengers vs Strikers, Oval Academy Ground.
20 May – Dynamites vs Challengers, State Bank Ground, Blasters vs Strikers, Oval Academy Ground.
21 May – Dynamites vs Strikers, State Bank Ground, Blasters vs Challengers, Oval Academy Ground.
Second phase (50-over format)
23 May – Blasters vs Dynamites, State Bank Ground
25 May – Blasters vs Challengers, State Bank Ground
27 May – Dynamites vs Challengers, State Bank Ground
29 May – Dynamites vs Blasters, State Bank Ground
31 May – Challengers vs Blasters, State Bank Ground
2 June – Challengers vs Dynamites, State Bank Ground
4 June – Final, State Bank Ground