Javeria seeks consistent flow of runs against England

KUALA LUMPUR: Pakistan’s top-order batter Javeria Khan wants consistent flow of runs against England in their ICC Women’s Championship One-day International (ODI) matches.

Javeria, who boasts a distinguished record of hitting the most number of centuries (two) and half-centuries (15) amongst all Pakistan women cricketers, has set herself a goal of scoring big runs on a consistent basis which, she hopes, will give her side a winning momentum.

Pakistan are fifth on the ICC Women’s Championship points table, one point below the fourth-ranked South Africa, and victory here will open up the possibility of securing a berth in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2021. Hosts New Zealand and the next three highest-placed sides will secure direct qualification for the event.

Javeria, a former Pakistan captain, is optimistic about her team’s chances provided they control their nerves in pressure situations. In a conversation with pcb.com.pk, Javeria, who made her ODI debut in May 2008 and has since scored 2,611 runs at an average of 30.71, said: “We have grown as a team over the last two-three years and the girls have improved their batting, bowling and fielding. As a unit, we are becoming stronger every day.

“England is one of the top teams so we will have to make sure that we eradicate the mistakes which are normally there when we take on the other teams. We need to be on top of our game in all three departments, especially the fielding.

“We have to control our nerves. There have been times when matches have slipped away due to lack of experience or when we succumb to pressure.

“We have played good cricket recently and we should take confidence from it and look to stretch the momentum into this series. It is pertinent for a team to take inspiration from its past performances.

“I look forward to enjoying my role of being a senior in the side rather than consider it a burden and pushing myself for better performances since my runs are not for me but for Pakistan. My aim is to put up big scores consistently to help my team gain winning momentum.

“I will ask all of our fans to keep supporting us and back every player because this team has reached here after a lot of struggles. I will ask all the girls to keep working hard and become part of this team in the future.”

Pakistan Women will be playing their counterparts from England in three ODIs and as many T20Is from December 9 to 20 here at Kinrara Oval.