Trailblazer Nida Dar ready to take the Women's Big Bash by storm

NICK HOWSON: The first female Pakistan player to join an international cricket league can't wait for her first taste of overseas franchise cricket. And doesn't want to stop here.

Four times. During a mere 20-minute conversation with Nida Dar she uses the word “awesome” on multiple occasions. And as well she might. As Pakistan's premier female cricketer and the first signed up to an overseas league ahead of this season's Big Bash, life can scarlessly get any better.

Of the 120 players lined-up to play in the fifth edition of Australia's showcase competition, there is a no more intriguing prospect than Dar's maiden outing in international franchise cricket. 

The allrounder has been the mainstay of her nation for nearly a decade but will now have the chance to test herself against a high calibre of opponent with Sydney Thunder. It will undoubtedly be the most intense period of her career.

“It is a big achievement for me and also for Pakistan, and everyone is appreciative of this,” she told The Cricketer. “The first lady being an international signing, they're all focusing on me and all wanting me to perform.

WOMEN'S BIG BASH FIXTURES

“I wanted to be here to play top-level cricket and with some very talented players. There are a very talented group of players over here. I can learn from them and perhaps they can learn from me.

“They all understand me and they know how talented I am and I know how talented they are. I am learning things and I can perform very well over here.”

Dar was given permission to skip the white-ball tour of Bangladesh to sign with Thunder, centrally to allow her to adapt to conditions ahead of the World T20 and relay advice to her teammates. Pakistan last toured Australia in 2014 meaning the next seven weeks will be a key period for both Dar personally, and the squad heading Down Under in 2020.

“I am the first from Pakistan so it is a pathway for them also,” he added. “What I learn from here I will also tell them. I am always trying to help them. Being a senior player I give them tips and this is my responsibility of how they're going to play. It is really helpful for me and for the girls back home.

^{Nids Dar has been the central pillar of women's cricket in Pakistan since 2010}

“I am telling them about T20 competitions always. In our team there are girls who have played in Australia. It is really good for me and what I learned from my experience I will also share with my team and adapt to the conditions early. It is a really good thing for me that I have a pre-season over here before the World Cup.”

The lack of exposure Pakistan's players have had to overseas cricket is reflected in their international fortunes. They are ranked seventh in both the ODI and T20 rankings and finished last in the 2017 50-over World Cup. The chasm to the likes of Australia and England remains a yawning one.

Though only 32, Dar has for years been unable to test herself against the best after 167 Pakistan appearances. “If I give a performance here then there will be other offers,” she admitted. “I am coming here and I want to learn things and want to perform over here. It is a good thing.”

The Hundred will supplement a yet-to-be-announced women's domestic schedule in England next summer. It would be quite the statement if Dar could earn a selection.

“If I have the opportunity to play in England or somewhere else I will grab the experience for sure,” the Punjab-native gleamed. “It will improve myself individually, my skills will improve and I will learn a lot of skills of cricket. It is a good thing if I got any offer from England or somewhere else I can surely take that.

“I just want to play throughout the world. I want to play over there too. Whenever I have any opportunity to do that I will take it.”

^{The Big Bash is the leading women's franchise league around}

Despite the unanswered questions of her career, Dar speaks passionately about the progress women's cricket is making in Pakistan. She pays tribute to the recently departed head coach Mark Coles, who has transformed the mindset around the sport and switched the focus onto fitness and strategy. The number of girls picking up a bat and ball is growing, particularly in cricket hubs such as Lahore and Karachi.

Dar is well aware how success during the Australian summer could open the pathway for her Pakistan teammates to flood into other franchise leagues. What is certain is that plenty will be watching. “Whenever you play any series from Pakistan, any domestic league or in Australia there is some pressure. I can cope with that.”