LAHORE – Elizabeth Barkat, a formidable off spinner and a former member ofPakistan’s women cricket team smashed records and stereotypes while playingfor Walmley cricket club in Birmingham, England.She played a total of five matches and bravely slayed the dragon ofnon-spinning English wickets that have haunted many before her.“I am really delighted that I was able to play quality cricket and achievedmy career’s best performance by taking five wickets in a match” ,she toldAPP here on Wednesday after her return from England.
Last month on September 2, while playing against Astwood Bank CC club,Barkat recorded the best performance of her career by taking five wicketsfor 4 runs in her share of 7.1 overs. This outstanding performance got herlisted on the male dominant honors board of the Warwickshire county.
“It is a big honour to see my name on the male dominant honours board and Idedicate my performance to my country”,she added.Ms. Barkat started her journey from the rowdy streets of Lahore beforejoining Kinnaird cricket club for professional training.She quickly rosethrough the competitive ranks of Kinnaird club’s cricket to be their numberone pick of the bowlers.
In the year 2011/2012 Barkat made her first-class debut playing for Lahoreregion in the National women cricket championship.Her team went on to winthe championship and Lahore’s inexperienced off spinner surprised everyoneby getting the award for the highest wicket taker by taking twelve wicketsin only five matches.In the same year she also earned the highest wickettaker award in the first Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto cricket championship,which is a T20 cup held annually.
By proving her worth in both twenty and fifty overs cricket Elizabethknocked persistently on the doors of Pakistan cricket board until shefinally received the national call for Pakistan women cricket team’s jointtour of England and Ireland.
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She made her International debut in the Tri-series in Ireland againstBangladesh. She came back from the tour more determined and resolute. Herhard work paid off once more as she became the highest wicket taker in thenational championship for the season 2012/2013. Consequently, she was apart of the Pakistan squad for the Asia cup in 2013 and world cup in 2015.
It remains a mystery as to why her debut remains to be her maiden match ininternational cricket.Barkat joined the State bank departmental cricketteam in 2015 and has been consistently performing for them ever since.Sheled her team to the finals of National championships on many occasions andis considered to be their most dangerous bowler.Her consistent performances in domestic and league cricket in the face ofadversity show a test of her physical and mental strength.
Despite being looked over by the selectors and team management,Barkat washopeful that she still has a chance to fulfil her dreams and serve onceagain the country she holds dear. “I believe still a lot of cricket is leftin me and if given a chance I can serve Pak team with my expertise in thegame, the way I did in the past”,she added. – APP
