A tribute to Pakistan’s committed milestone breaching daughter: Nain Abidi

Certain dates hold tremendous value and importance to the game of cricket. August 22 is one of them. 

From a historical perspective, it was the date where, back in 1904, India’s Ranjitshinji, then playing for Sussex, quite simply toyed with one of the fastest and best bowlers of the game at that time: Johannes Kotze, a South African whose sight prompted tense nerves and frenzy in the minds of the batters.  

August 22 also happens to be the birth anniversary of one of the finest orators that the great game of cricket has seen in a long time: the Cardiff-born Alan Wilkins, the man whose voice brings a touch of grace to the lair of commentary. 

But if you happen to place the importance of August 22 in the firmament of Pakistan cricket, then you’d realise the date holds significant value to the Women’s side, a team that, over the years, has been served by greats like Sana Mir, Bismah Maroof and Asmavia Iqbal. 

Exactly ten years back, on August 12, Pakistan Women’s side’s Nain Abidi became the first woman ever to hit an ODI century for her country. 

During an away tri-series tour featuring hosts Ireland and Bangladesh women, it was Pakistan’s Nain Abidi who seized the initiative on this very date by scoring a century ( first match, at Dublin) that has become part of famous Pakistani folklore in the years hence.

Nain Abidi, who turns 37 today, is, needless to say, one of Karachi’s greatest exports to the game of cricket.

A batter who, for as long as she remained at the crease, brought forth the assurance that the runs would come by and that, at least, an end was protected with great sincerity and application. 

To a side that flourished under the sublime leadership of Sana Mir, arguably the greatest spinner Pakistan Women’s side has evidence in all these years, one where Nida Dar brings a dash of confidence and where the likes of Aliya Riaz bring the promise of all-round talent, Nain Abidi brought a sense of composure and focus. 

The top order batter renowned for her ability to concentrate for long periods of time was perhaps as adept in playing the defensive, cautious game as she was in becoming the aggressor. 

But when on August 22, as Pakistan batted first and didn’t quite see the magic from their openers- Dar and Jalil, the team struggling at 82-2, Nain Abidi, one of the most technically correct right-handers in the game at that time, arrived to steady a rocking ship. 

By scoring 101 of her team’s eventual 254 runs, a total that ultimately proved really enough for Ireland, who lost by 42 runs (D/L method), Abidi’s inning was one that was peppered by glorious hits to the fence and fast running between the wickets, the latter, an important hallmark of her career. 

But factually speaking, there’s much relevance to Nain Abidi’s rollicking hundred that troubled the Irish than one would know or has perhaps thought about. 

Only two cricketers in the present limited overs line-up have hundreds against their name- Javeria Khan, with 2 ODI tons and Sidra Ameen, with one century and the highest score of 104. 

Even fine all-rounders like Omaima Sohail haven’t yet scored a ton whilst one of the finest batters from any generation in Pakistan, Nahida Khan, still has the highest score of 79 in 50-over cricket. 

Against that narrative, that Nain Abidi, 2597 international runs, crowned one of the finest moments of her career as also for her Pakistan a decade back in time points to her precious talent. 

And the very fact that she was much faster than anyone at that time to reach the coveted landmark. 

A no-nonsense cricketer who also made a reputation for being an agile fielder, Abidi upped the tempo of the atmosphere in the field for her proud country, taking just one shy of fifty catches (including ODIs and T20Is). 

Someone considered an apt fit for the fast-paced white ball game, renowned for its rapidly-changing vagaries, Nain Abidi lent a touch of solidity and dependability to the bedrock of Pakistani batting during her active days for the country: 2009 to 2018. 

Where Women’s cricket prided itself on being served by some of the best names in the business- think Suzie Bates to Stafanie Taylor, Deandra Dottin to Mithali Raj, Juhulan Goswami to Meg Lanning, and Dane van Niekerk to Ellyse Perry, Nain Abidi’s presence to a starry line-up featuring Sana Mir, Nahida Khan, Amavia Iqbal and Javeria Khan meant Pakistan offered a quintuplet of world-beating talents in the Women’s sphere! 

Having moved to the USA upon her marriage and having sought a no objection certificate from her home’s Pakistan cricket board to represent the United States, it’ll be utterly exciting to see Nain Abidi, Pakistan’s brave daughter, take the field when she can. 

The mother of an adorably cute boy, truth be told, belongs to the irrepressible game of cricket, and away from home, it’s the turf or the pitch where Nain Abidi truly belongs. 

Have a great 37th, Nain Abidi!