What's new

Nida Dar makes Pakistan history with Sydney Thunder Women's Big Bash deal

Slog

Slog

Senior Test Player
Joined
Feb 15, 2015
Runs
28,984
Post of the Week
1
Dont follow women's cricket but this news is Pretty sick!

====


Nida Dar has made history by becoming the first woman from Pakistan to sign a deal with an international cricket league, having been picked up by Sydney Thunder for their 2018/19 Women’s Big Bash League campaign.

A highly experienced all-round cricketer, Dar has long been one of Pakistan Women’s most reliable players. Her 88 T20I wickets is a joint record for Pakistan with former captain Sana Mir, while her 1086 runs have come at a healthy strike rate of 96.27.

Sydney Thunder were the inaugural WBBL championsSydney Thunder were the inaugural WBBL champions
She is currently in some of the best form of her career, having played a starring role in Pakistan’s close-fought 3-2 T20I series defeat to South Africa in May. She struck two half-centuries in the series, including a stunning 37-ball 75, the second-fastest women’s T20I fifty of all time.

Thunder have failed to make the final of the WBBL since their title win in the maiden edition of the tournament. Having been knocked out in the semi-finals in each of the last two seasons, they will be hoping that Dar, alongside the likes of Rachael Haynes, Alex Blackwell, Rene Farrell and Rachel Priest, can help them bring home that elusive trophy.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1366844
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Mean&Green said:
Nothing bad about following women’s cricket I don’t know why you would say that
Click to expand...

no i mean i dont really keep upto date with it but saw this news on a cricket website and was exciting to read as i think its a big development. From what I know our women's team isnt among top tier at all
 
Slog said:
no i mean i dont really keep upto date with it but saw this news on a cricket website and was exciting to read as i think its a big development. From what I know our women's team isnt among top tier at all
Click to expand...

Oh ok yeah it’s actually pretty dope after sana mir we have another good female cricketer
 
Nida Dar shares her excitement at joining Sydney Thunder in this week’s PCB Podcast

Lahore, 3 October 2019:

Nida Dar has become the first Pakistan woman cricketer to feature in a foreign league after she was selected by Sydney Thunder as their overseas professional player in Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League, which will be played from 18 October to 8 December.

Nida has played 71 ODIs and 96 T20Is since making her international debut in 2010 and will leave for Sydney on 5 October before rejoining the national team in Kuala Lumpur on 1 December for the ICC Women’s Championship fixture against England.

Sydney Thunder will be in action on the opening day of the tournament when they will take on Sydney Sixers in a derby match.

“I am delighted to get this opportunity, which, I hope will open doors for my other Pakistan team-mates,” Nida told the PCB Podcast.

“The Women’s Big Bash League is an extremely tough event and while I am keen to make a name for myself, I aim to learn as much cricket as possible, which, in turn, will help me improve as a cricketer.

“The opportunity to play in Australia couldn’t have come at a better time as they also host the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 from 21 February to 8 March. I am hoping the experience I will gain by playing in the Women’s Big Bash League will allow me to provide my feedback to the Pakistan team management which, in turn, will help us prepare better for the global tournament.”

As participation in the Women’s Big Bash League is being seen as a critical and timely experience that will benefit both Nida and the Pakistan women’s cricket team for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Australia 2020, a strategic decision has been made to exempt her from the home series against Bangladesh from 26 October to 4 November. The series against Bangladesh will count towards the ICC team ranking but is not be part of the ICC Women’s Championship.

Also featuring in the fifth edition of the PCB Podcast is Australia legend David Boon, who is refereeing in the ongoing limited overs series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

On his return to the country where he also visited as a player in 1987, 1988 and 1992, Boon said: “It is good to be back. There have been a lot of unfortunate issues, which have been out of control of many people, here in the last ten years or so.

“Playing cricket back in Pakistan is only good for the game, and good for the people of Pakistan who follow cricket.

“It is even more important for young kids to be able to see players from their and other countries play the game here. They get that vision that moving forward they want to play the game themselves.”

Boon, who played 107 Tests and 181 ODIs for Australia from 1984 to 1996, advised the Pakistan team to be patient when they tour Down Under later this year for the World Test Championship fixtures.

“The grounds (in Australia) are a lot bigger and the guys have to adapt to that. The pitches are obviously different. I won’t say they are the same all over Australia as they all have their own little nuances and characteristics, the biggest one the guys have to come to grip will be bounce and pace. It is obviously a lot pacier and bouncy here as compared to subcontinent.

“It is important for them to be patient. Shouldn’t give away too many secrets and have the confidence to play their own game and adapt to the conditions.”

The latest show of the PCB Podcast opens with opposite numbers Sarfaraz Ahmed and Lahiru Thirmanne reviewing the One-Day International series and concludes with an update on the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

In between and apart from Nida Dar and David Boon interviews, former captain Shahid Afridi talks about the Shahid Afridi Foundation, which signed a two-year partnership as the PCB’s charity partner.
 
Bismah to lead Women’s Global Development Squad

akistan captain “very excited” at opportunity to lead team comprising players from eight countries on a tour of Australia.
Pakistan’s Bismah Maroof has been named captain of a Women’s Global Development Squad (WGDS) for a tour of Australia where they will get to play against Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) teams as well as be part of different WBBL squads for their first-round tournament matches.

The 28-year-old Pakistan captain, who has represented her country in 103 ODIs and 100 T20Is, will lead a 13-member squad comprising players from eight countries who get to play six T20 matches in what is the fourth such exposure tour announced by the International Cricket Council.

This tour is being organised in association with Cricket Australia and comes after similar programmes in England (in July 2018 and July 2019) and Australia (November 2018), all of which have provided exposure to players from outside the leading cricket teams.

The maximum representation in the squad is from Thailand, who boast three players including captain and leading spinner Sornnarin Tippoch, who is ranked 22nd among bowlers in the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings. Spinner Suleeporn Laomi and batter Naruemol Chaiwai are the others from Thailand, who have qualified for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia next year.

Scotland (seamer Katie McGill and wicketkeeper Sarah Bryce), Papua New Guinea (spinner Kaia Arua and batter Tanya Ruma) and Bangladesh (all-rounder Rumana Ahmad and wicketkeeper Nigar Sultana Joty) have two players each in the squad while seamers Hannah Rowe of New Zealand, Lara Maritz of Ireland and Ni Made Putri Suwandewi of Indonesia are the others in the multi-nation squad.

Bismah says she is “very excited” at the opportunity of leading the WGDS side.

Bismah Maroof: “It’s an honour to be leading this side. This is an excellent platform provided by the ICC for players of different sides. As a captain, I will try my level best to share my experiences on and off the field. There will be girls from different cultures and it will be a new challenge for me.

“I have led my country, where I know all the players, but this will be new experience. It is an important platform, where we will play against star players of the Big Bash. My own game will also develop in a new environment and I will be able to help the Pakistan team in future.”

ICC Women’s Cricket Manager Holly Colvin feels the WGDS squads play a vital role in improving the standard of the women’s game, which is at a key juncture.

Holly Colvin: “The women’s game has caught the imagination of fans in recent years and it is important that we provide opportunities for players and coaches outside of the leading teams to learn from world-class players and test themselves against the best. The WGDS is a great way to develop this talent pool and we are really looking forward to more such initiatives.

“The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 is just over four months away, so it is exciting that these players have the chance to play in Australian conditions, some for the first time, particularly the Thailand players having qualified for a global event for the first time. I’m confident Bismah’s leadership and the opportunity of playing against quality opposition will help them improve as players.”

Thailand captain Sornnarin Tipoch understands the importance of this tour and how it can help her team.

Sornnarin Tippoch: “It’s a great opportunity and experience for me to be a part of the WGDS squad. I’m in a position to learn and challenge myself in a different environment and I’m also excited being able to play with other talented cricketers. I hope this programme will help my game so I will be able to share my experiences with my Thai team.

“It gives cricketers like myself an opportunity to learn new things and opens a whole new perspective to the game. These experiences will help individuals improve and develop. The knowledge and experience acquired will be useful for the development of cricket in our respective countries.”

Scotland’s Sarah Bryce is looking to play with the Thailand players among other things.

Sarah Bryce: “This tour is going to be an extremely valuable experience as I'll get to play against some of the best players in the world and also have the opportunity to play with, and learn from others from different cricketing cultures. It will be exciting to play with the Thai players who have just qualified for their first World Cup.

“Such tours help to continue the increase in standard of the teams just below the top eight as we can learn from players who have played at the top level. I hope to learn a lot from playing and being coached by different people. It is always exciting to play with people from different cultures.”

The WGDS squad:

Bismah Maroof (captain, Pakistan), Rumana Ahmed, Nigar Sultana Joty (Bangladesh), Ni Made Putri Suwandewi (Indonesia), Lara Martiz (Ireland), Hannah Rowe (New Zealand), Kaia Arua, Tanya Ruma (Papua New Guinea), Katie McGill, Sarah Bryce (Scotland), Sornnarin Tippoch, Suleeporn Laomi, Naruemol Chaiwai (Thailand), Sean Trouw (Head Coach – Netherlands), Peter Ross (Assistant Coach - Scotland)

Fixtures (all T20s):

Wednesday, 9 October: WGDS v Melbourne Renegades/Melbourne Stars Combined XI

Thursday, 10 October: WGDS v Strikers; WGDS v Melbourne Renegades/Melbourne Stars Combined XI

Friday, 11 October: WGDS v Adelaide Strikers

Sunday, 13 October: WGDS v Hobart Hurricanes/Tasmanian Tigers Combined XI

Monday, 14 October: WGDS v Hobart Hurricanes/Tasmanian Tigers Combined XI

https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1366772
 
Good to see Pak women making the headlines - needs more investment before any big results come our way
 
Nida Dar is pretty good.One of the best in our women's team.The only player apart from Sana Mir in A contract category.
Congratulations to her.
 
Slog said:
no i mean i dont really keep upto date with it but saw this news on a cricket website and was exciting to read as i think its a big development. From what I know our women's team isnt among top tier at all
Click to expand...

In Men's Cricket, there are many lower tier team Cricketers who get the t20 league contracts so there is nothing to be surprised about.

Nida Dar is good enough to walk into the XIs of top tier teams
 
Nida Dar signs with Sydney Thunder making history

Nida Dar signs with Sydney thunder making history as the first Pakistani to sign for Women's Big Bash League we wish her the best of luck and Congratz on your achievement
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Day 1 ✅<a href="https://twitter.com/CoolNidadar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoolNidaDar</a> 🇵🇰 is in Sydney and ready for <a href="https://twitter.com/WBBL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WBBL</a> to kick off next week!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThunderNation?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ThunderNation</a> <a href="https://t.co/032hdyLwb0">pic.twitter.com/032hdyLwb0</a></p>— Sydney Thunder (@ThunderBBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThunderBBL/status/1181534856183869440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A very exciting opportunity awaits for Pakistan's Nida Dar!<br><br>Find out more &#55357;&#56391; <a href="https://t.co/2CwvIxhQyB">https://t.co/2CwvIxhQyB</a></p>— ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1179516407970746371?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
For women in Australia there has never been a better time to play cricket, but that is not always the case elsewhere in the world.

Key points:
Nida Dar will be the first Pakistani cricketer to play in a women's international league
Dar is hoping more of her countrywomen will follow her lead and play in the WBBL
The 32-year-old has developed a reputation as a hard-hitting all-rounder in T20 and one-day internationals
All-rounder Nida Dar is the first female cricketer from Pakistan to play in an international league, having signed with the Sydney Thunder in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL).

"This is the biggest league in the world and top-level cricket over here, [so] it is such an honour to represent Pakistan and I am here to improve more," Dar said.

Pakistan has only had a women's international team since 1997.

When Dar was growing up in the 1990s, religion prohibited women from playing sport in public, prompting court cases and even death threats throughout the nation.

Pakistan has come a long way since then, with players like Dar continuing to push the boundary.

"Being a woman to come to Australia for the very first time, of course people will learn from me back home in Pakistan, so that's a big thing for me," Dar said.

Dar said she was hopeful other women in Pakistan would follow her lead.

"It's nice to be here, everyone is so helpful and caring and asking if I need anything," she said.

"The grounds are bigger, the wickets are awesome."

The 32-year-old will debut for the Thunder tonight in the WBBL season opener against crosstown rivals the Sydney Sixers.

Her selection has made big headlines in her home country, where the fixture will be closely watched.

"A lot of people texted me, they congratulated me and of course they gave me confidence to play over there and they want me to play over here," Dar said.

"Always, people back home support me and pray for me."

Dar, known as the "Lady Boom Boom" of world cricket because of her batting firepower, has played 96 T20 internationals and 71 one-day internationals since her debut in 2010.

She has produced career-best form this year, having posted the highest score by a Pakistani woman in a T20 international, with 75 off 37 deliveries against South Africa last May.

It was also the second-fastest women's T20 half-century of all time, hit off just 20 deliveries.

The WBBL is the perfect preparation for Dar for the T20 Women's World Cup that will played in Australia next February and March.

"It's so chilly over here, I need to acclimatise more," she said.

"But it's been amazing, the quality and mix of talent so far."

A catalyst for the sustained dominance of the Australian women's cricket team has been the professionalism and match fitness gained in the WBBL.

This is not lost on Dar, who said the experience of playing in such a strong domestic league would do wonders for her game.

"It's very exciting to play with them [Australian cricketers] and against them," she said.

"But there's some things I can learn from them and somethings they can learn from me."

Dar's Australian rivals are already on notice.

"I think she'll be a great addition to the competition and will get a strong following as well," Australia and Brisbane Heat batter Beth Mooney said.

"The next phase of our sport around the world is making sure that every country is getting supported like we are, and getting more players coming to the Big Bash means their country will better support them."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10...history-as-first-pakistani-cricketer/11612824
 
Nida Dar 2/44 in 4 overs in her first game at the WBBL
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What a moment for Nida Dar and the Sydney Thunder! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WBBL05?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WBBL05</a> <a href="https://t.co/zp9JthLtr0">pic.twitter.com/zp9JthLtr0</a></p>— Rebel Women's Big Bash League (@WBBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/WBBL/status/1185123448147693570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Taken 2/22 in 3 overs as her side, Sydney Thunder, Women won by 7 wkts
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">You are a game changer Lady Boom Boom may your sixes go far and may your story inspire millions and all the best of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WBBL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WBBL</a> tournament &#55357;&#56397;&#55356;&#57341; <a href="https://twitter.com/CoolNidadar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoolNidadar</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ko2iNABYdD">https://t.co/Ko2iNABYdD</a></p>— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1186616501706641408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Nida Dar was raised in Pakistan during a difficult time for girls who liked sport.

In the early days of her cricket career - playing with her brother and cousins in the streets - it was only because others thought she was a boy that she was able to play at all.

"Nobody knew I was a girl, so I carried on playing with the boys,” the 32-year-old told SBS News this week.


“Everybody [thinks] that ‘a very little boy is playing with us’.”

“When they came to know that I am a girl, they were inspired by me, that a girl was playing. They wanted me to play everytime.”

She longed for there to be a women’s cricket team to look up to in Pakistan, but even her own brother advised it was unlikely.

“It’s a bit conservative in Pakistan, so that’s why he said ‘no, there’s no career for the girls, so you should not try this thing’.”

Because of the lack of female role models, she drew her inspiration from popular male Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi - nicknamed ‘Boom Boom’ for his aggressive style of batting.

“I had a wish that one day I could be a female cricketer for Pakistan just like Shahid," she said.

Her wish would eventually come true.

Pakistan founded an international women’s cricket team in 1997 and all-rounder Dar made her one-day and T20 international debuts in 2010.

With 88 T20 international wickets (a joint national record) and a strike rate of 96.27, she’s now referred to by fans as ‘Lady Boom Boom’.

Her move to join the Sydney Thunder sees her become the first Pakistani international to play in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL).

She's also the first Pakistani woman to be signed by an international cricket league anywhere in the world.

Sydney Thunder coach Trevor Griffin says Dar's skills speak for themselves.

"She can take the game away from the opposition very quickly and I'm sure when she gets her opportunity with the bat, she'll go out and showcase her talent," he said.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is now well aware of the growth potential of women's cricket in the country. For the first time, money is being set aside to ensure more players follow in Dar's footsteps.

But, she says, more can still be done.

"The facilities are much less for the girls, but the PCB is starting to help them in schools and clubs, so it’s changing slowly."

“It’s a big responsibility for me that I'm the first from Pakistan and I want to grab more experience from here and share it to them."

Dar has already taken four wickets in her opening two WBBL matches so fans have had a small taste of what's to come.

But, she says, if the WBBL wants to stay the number one league of its kind in the world, it needs to contiunue bringing in overseas talent.

"If you want to go to the next step, you should grab the girls from other countries," she said.

She’s inspired by the changes she’s seen in Pakistan since the days she let people think she was a boy to be able to play cricket in the street.

“Things have really changed now in Pakistan, and whenever they saw us on the TV or on social media whenever we are getting awards, a lot of people take interest.”

“Nowadays, a lot of girls are messaging me on social media [saying] ‘I want to be a cricket star’, it’s a very, very good thing”

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/cricket...to-play-as-a-child-makes-history-in-australia
 
She’s known throughout the cricket world as Lady Boom Boom because of her big-hitting.

Now, after a visit to Drummoyne Oval ahead of this week’s WBBL festival of cricket, Sydney Thunder’s Nida Dar plans to set the grand old ground alight.

Dar, who created history by becoming the first female player the Pakistan Cricket Board allowed to play in a foreign T20 domestic competition, is determined to open doors for other women by performing well for the Thunder.

“It’s a great thing for me; a very proud moment for Pakistan and my family,” said the champion all-rounder after meeting members from the Briars girls’ teams alongside Jodie Hicks and Lauren Smith from the Sydney Sixers.

“They always wanted me to play at the top level - and (WBBL) is the top level.

“There is also the responsibility for me. This is a pathway for other girls, too. They want me to play hard over here – and they’re watching my game.”

The 32-year-old, who learnt to play cricket alongside boys, said something that had made a big impression on her since she joined Sydney Thunder was the grounds available to Australian players.

“This really is beautiful,” she said while taking in picturesque Drummoyne Oval for the first time.

Sydney Thunder plays Sydney Sixers on Friday from 7.10pm and then Brisbane Heat on November 16.

Sydney Thunder star Rene Farrell is is urging fans who attend the WBBL matches at Drummoyne Oval to bring along a gift to help a child in need share in the festive season this summer.

The Thunder has forged an alliance with Barnardos Australia, and Farrell is confident the Gifts for Kids campaign – where fans donate unwrapped presents at a drop-off area at the matches against the Sydney Sixers and Brisbane Heat – could make a difference to children across the Thunder Nation.

“Christmas is one of the biggest days of the year for kids and you want to see joy on any kid’s face,” said the veteran of 101 matches for Australia. “Presents are a surprise, and that’s something every child should experience.”

Unwrapped toys can be donated at the main entry gate.

https://www.news.com.au/sport/bighi...e/news-story/6d96c048863aaffdc67c55bbc301a2a8
 
43 off 39 in a losing cause today - could have won the game but not to be
 
Nida Dar (2-15) today - doing well in WBBL
 
ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year (in batting order):

1. Alyssa Healy (wk) - Australia
2. Danielle Wyatt - England
3. Meg Lanning (c) - Australia
4. Smriti Mandhana - India
5. Lizelle Lee - South Africa
6. Ellyse Perry - Australia
7. Deepti Sharma - India
8. Nida Dar - Pakistan
9. Megan Schutt - Australia
10. Shabnim Ismail - South Africa
11. Radha Yadav - India
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

BouncerGuy
Big Bash League 2025/26 - Discussion Thread [From December 14,2025 to January 25,2026]
Replies
73
Views
4K
mominsaigol
mominsaigol
Cricket Warrior
Sana Mir makes history as first Pakistani woman cricketer to make ICC Hall of Fame
Replies
11
Views
577
Ball Blazer
Ball Blazer
FearlessRoar
[VIDEOS] Hobart Hurricanes (185/3) defeat Sydney Thunders (182/7) by 7 wickets in the final of the14th Edition of BBL to claim their maiden title
2
Replies
112
Views
5K
BouncerGuy
BouncerGuy
H
Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan amongst nominees for the BBL13 Draft
Replies
41
Views
4K
BouncerGuy
BouncerGuy
MenInG
  • Poll Poll
[VIDEO] Batters withdrawing just before delivery is bowled - Unfair to the bowlers?
Replies
19
Views
3K
hitthestump
H
Back
Top