5 Quick Facts About Best Emerging Player and Bowler, Diana Baig

The Pakistan Cricket Board Awards on Wednesday night highlighted one name in particular. That of female cricketer Diana Baig, who was the recipient of the best emerging player and best bowler in the domestic circuit for her 18 wickets.

In light of her victory, here are five quick facts about this emerging force in cricket: 

1) She Belongs to Gojal, Hunza

Coming from a relatively remote area in Pakistan, it is commendable that Diana Bag has come this far. But then again sometimes what we perceive to be conservative society’s are perhaps more progressive in helping women achieve their highest potential. Her success is perhaps the best lesson for more upper/middle class, urban families that worry about their reputation a lot more than allowing daughters to pursue their passions. Just like

2) She is Also a Footballer 

Talk about being an all-rounder in sports, she can play cricket and football. She started in football by chance but got picked up by the Pakistan Football Team when there was a shortage of players. She was selected to play for Pakistan at the SAFF Championships in Bahrain.

Image Source: AFP

3) Her Real Calling, However, Is Cricket

She started her career on the streets, playing in Diana Baig has a long list of accolades in cricket. She made her ODI debut in 2015. She also earned praise for her performance in T20 series in 2015 and continued to participate in the series till 2018.  She is the regular fast bowler now for the Women’s Cricket Team.

4) Her Performance Against India Was Specifically Praised by Cricket Commentator Ian Bishop 

In a crucial ODI match against our toughest competitor in cricket, Baig made an immediate impact by taking an important wicket, Smriti Mandhana with an inswinger. She quickly earned a favorable repute as a fast bowler in the Women’s Cricket Team.

5) She Has Shown it is Possible to Pursue Formal Education and Sports at the Same Time

While slowly women in Pakistan are getting access to better education, the opportunity of a career in sports is a relatively slower process. Combine them both together and it is a whole different ball game. But Diana Baig is proving it is possible. She went to the Lahore College for Women University and did her best to balance out studying and sports. Her university also played a big role in helping her career as a cricketer since the facilities provided helped her hone her talent. Diana Baig’s successes show that it is possible to follow your passions if provided the right structural support to pursue them. Her story is one that should ideally be of every daughter of the soil. Hoping one day this ‘fool’s paradise’ of a dream actually attains a greater semblance of reality in Pakistan.    

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