Ahmed Deepto tells the fascinating story of how Jahanara Alam became one of the leading pacers of Bangladesh National Women’s Cricket team
SOURAV LASKAR
‘Usually, girls don’t want to get sunburnt in Bangladesh. So when the Sun is out and scorching, they probably just remain indoors resting or having fun with family and friends; but that is not the case with us,’ says Jahanara Alam one of the leading pacers of the Bangladesh Women’s National Cricket Team to New Age Youth.
Not minding the scorching heat is one of the many great examples of Jahanara’s fortitude. She also did not mind the society’s preconceived ideas about what kind of careers are suitable for a woman in Bangladeshi society. She dared to take the path less travelled and now represents Bangladesh on international grounds.
Although all her teammates had left the Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium after the practice session, Jahanara was still training at the Cricket Academy’s gym. Whether it is in the stadium or outside of it, Jahanara never backs out of giving it her all and push her limits.
She made her international debut on November 26, 2011 in the 5th place play-off match of the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers against Ireland. Since 2011, she has bagged 16 wickets in only 15 one-day international matches. Not only that, she has also stamped her authority with the ball in the shorter and more exciting T20 format of the game. Jahanara has taken 15 wickets in 22 international T20 games.
The 22-year-old right-arm medium fast bowler has an impressive economy rate of 5.14 in T20s and a 37.3 strike rate in ODIs making her an instrumental part of the team.
Jahanara was born and raised in East Tutpara of Khulna District. Since childhood she used to be so silent and calm that her father fondly named her ‘Sweet’. Her story reassures that when one is brave enough to embrace her destiny, fortune favours. Jahanara has been fortunate enough to have her parents’ support in her aim to becoming a professional athlete.
‘My father used to make sure that I had a healthy diet. He would leave chickpeas in a bowl of water overnight and wake me up early in the morning and ask me to eat them. My mother also kept an eye on the matter and cooks meal in healthier ways,’ an emotional Jahanara reminisces.
‘When I was an SSC candidate in 2008, my examination schedule overlapped with a tour in Sri Lanka. I was confused about whether to go on the tour or sit for my exams. Amazingly, my father suggested I go for the tour! He said that I could sit for the exam next year,’ says Jahanara, who shares her delight to have such supportive parents.
Jahanara’s story is fairly different from her compatriots. At an early age, she neither played cricket nor did she watch the game. So the aim of becoming a part of the national team was nowhere near her agenda. Amazingly, she never even entertained any interest in cricket initially as she did not understand the rules of the game. She however always enjoyed athletics and used to play handball and volleyball in her school.
In December 2006, her athletic prowess caught attention of Salahuddin, cricket coach of Khulna division at the time who offered her to play cricket at a grooming session that aimed to find talented female cricketers, which was an initiative of Bangladesh Cricket Board. ‘With the suggestion of my sports teacher Selima Aziz, I joined the training session and the rest is just history,’ conveys Jahanara.
Sweet Jahanara was initially chosen as a batsman for the camp team but over time the trainers found out that her real talent lied with the ball. A month later she became a pacer for her team. She got 13 wickets and became the highest wicket taker at inter-division domestic tournament in the country in 2007. The following year, she had a call to join the national team camp. At the age of only 15, Jahanara got the opportunity to play for the National Women’s Cricket Team in 2008.
Jahanara also played in the domestic league for Khulna and Sylhet divisions and for Abahani from 2008-2011. She was also a member of the team that won a silver medal in cricket at the 2010 Asian Games in China.
While the society still tries to raise women within the four walls of a home Jahanara had shown courage to stick to playing cricket. ‘People and neighbours used to mock me for spending hours on a field playing cricket at my school. I never paid any attention to their discouraging remarks,’ she says.
Despite her success with the cricket team, Jahanara aims to pursue higher studies. She is currently a student of Bachelor of Social Science at Pioneer Government Mohila College. Jahanara completed her Secondary School Certificate from Pioneer Girls High School in 2009 and Higher Secondary Certificate from Pioneer Girls College of Khulna.
The lady with a fired-up bowling style thinks that a cricketer has to compromise many facets of her lifestyle to be in the game. ‘I miss family events because of tours and training sessions. I haven’t seen some of my family members in years. Although I love ice cream and chocolate, I stay away from them to stay fit. I don’t even drink cold water for I fear I might catch a cold. We have to work very hard,’ says Jahanara.
Jahanara had bowled out Sri Lankan opener Hasini Perera with her first delivery of an innings at a World Cup match last year on April 1, which was also her 21st birthday. ‘That was the best moment of my life, and for our team as well. That was also our first ever victory in T20 World Cup. I never had such an amazing birthday present before,’ recalls Jahanara.
She affirms that more girls should explore the option of becoming cricketers as it pays decently and one can make the nation proud by playing well, but one has to start playing from an early age. She believes that cricket teaches one discipline and respect.