That was the era of Cricket that had not only won all hearts domestically but had become a pride of Pakistan internationally. Today as I looked at my picture on the title cover of “Akhbare-e- Jehan”, hung on one of my kitchen walls; it took me back to that time to relieve for a moment that cricket, which was a mark of our country’s excellence worldwide. It also took me back to that day of a crisp February morning of 1979, when I walked with my team among the roar and applaud of all spectators to play the first cricket test match ever played by women in the history of Pakistan- in the grounds of my own college- The Lahore College for Women, where I was a student of Bachelor of Arts.
To the best of my recollection, it was announced that there was a women’s cricket team to be made and all interested should come to the grounds for tryouts. How could I not try? Cricket was loved by all and hated by none. Luckily, I got selected. A women’s Crickett committee had been formed with Nazar Mohammed as our coach.
We practiced for hours for months. Sometimes even in the Qaddafi Stadium. We not only got the media attention but also the backing of our national(male)cricket team. I remember, during one of our practice sessions, several of them walked in to celebrate. It was so long ago, but to the best of my memory, Majid Khan and Asif Iqbal were present for sure and I think Imran Khan came too. We forgot about the practice and got more focused on getting autographs from them. Me and all my peers, perhaps the entire college had a crush on each one of them! Those Good Old Days!
Until this event, cricket in Pakistan was a male sport. With the introduction of this women cricket team, there was an apparent shift, I believe, taking place in the country for women to move forward to mark their presence in all walks of life. Yet for my picture to show up on a title cover of a national magazine in a cricket uniform was a cause of concern and may be a little embarrassment for my extended family more than mine own, who believed cricket was not a women’s sport, and I was crossing my boundaries.
I never played cricket again, but I have kept this copy of Akhabre Jehan with me all along. I love reading the caption stated on it: “Qaum ki Jawan Himmat Larkiyan” meaning the courageous girls of the country! … that today makes me proud.
I moved to the United States in 1982. I am married to Dr. Scott Leckman and have a daughter Mahvish and a son Muizz. I am an entrepreneur with a BS in Occupational Therapy from The Ohio State University and an MBA in Health Care from George Washington University. I have patented a new technology in shoulder braces for post operative shoulder support.
Now working as a founder and president of Kay Kare LLC.
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