- “I aim to make winning contribution whenever I stride out to bat, I am hopeful of registering more centuries in winning causes for Pakistan in the coming days,” says Sidra Amin
Karachi, 4 June 2022: Sidra Amin has emerged as Pakistan women’s ODI top-order linchpin in recent months, the Lahore-born 30-year-old opener registered her second century in the format as the green shirts recorded a comprehensive 73-run win over Sri Lanka to take a 2-0 lead in the three-match ICC Women’s Championship series at the Southend Club, Karachi on Friday.
Sidra is now joint-equal with Javeria Khan with most centuries in 50-over cricket for Pakistan. On Friday, the right-hander added a Pakistan record 158 for the opening wicket with Muneeba Ali (56) before joining hands with her skipper Bismah Maroof to not only post a century but to guide her team to what turned out to be a match winning 253 for two total.
Sidra played a series of delightful drives on the front and back foot besides using the cut and sweep shot to telling effect in her 123 off 150 balls, an innings that included 11 fours.
Sidra scored her first century for Pakistan merely six games ago – an innings of 104 against Bangladesh in an ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 match at Hamilton.
The seasoned batter who made her debut for Pakistan in 2011 has remained prolific since reaching the three figures for the first time in her career as she also contributed 76 in Pakistan’s eight-wicket win in the opening match of the series against Sri Lanka (Wednesday), the first match of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 cycle.
Sidra is keen on continuing her batting form as she is already eyeing the prospect of becoming Pakistan women’s most prolific ODI century scorer, a feat that is now a mere century away.
With batters like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan as her favourites, Sidra indeed has set her sights on even bigger achievements for the national women’s team.
Sidra Amin: “I aim to make winning contribution whenever I stride out to bat, I am hopeful of registering more centuries in winning causes for Pakistan in the coming days. My two favourite batters are Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan and like them I try to play a technically solid game. My recent form has given me good confidence and I have really started trusting the process and my game, I know now that I can make big match winning contributions for the team.
“Playing against Sri Lanka at home and winning the series has raised the confidence of the whole team and I am sure we have been able to inspire some young girls who have seen us play here in Karachi. We do have an abundance of talent and it is all about providing sustained opportunities to young girls so that they can hone their skills and serve Pakistan with distinction at the international stage.”
With her recent batting form, Sidra has earned well-deserved accolades. Her composure and uncomplicated approach to batting coupled with delightful strokeplay is set to make a big impression on young girls, keen to emulate her achievements in the ODI format.
