Nida Dar becomes the first Pakistani woman cricketer to feature in a foreign league after she was selected by Sydney Thunder as their overseas professional player in Australia’a Women’s Big Bash League, set to be played from 18th October to 8th December.
Nida who has played 71 ODIs and 96 T20Is since making her international debut in 2010 is expected to leave for Sydney on the 5th of October before rejoining the national team in Kuala Lumpur on the 1st December for the ICC Women’s Championship fixture against England.
It has been reported that 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.
Dar added that “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 26th October to 4th November. The series against Bangladesh will count towards the ICC team ranking but, it is not be a part of the ICC Women’s Championship.
Also featuring in the fifth edition of the PCB Podcast is Australian legend David Boon, who is set to referee 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.