** WATCH: In episode six of our vodcast series, CWC22 with Jimmy and Kristy, seasoned all-rounder Javeria Khan talks about the evolution of cricket in Pakistan and future opportunities for women to play the game **
Pakistan have arrived in New Zealand for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup with a team of 19 - 15 players, three reserves and one very special guest.
Captain Bismah Maroof’s baby made the trip with her and will journey around New Zealand with the team. “Bismah is the backbone of the team and the baby is the heart of the team,” Khan tells Kristy Havill and Jimmy Neesham.
Khan made her ODI debut for Pakistan in 2008, and played 100 games over a ten-year period. She’s seen so much change in the women’s game in her country, where once no one would have thought to see a married woman playing. But she believes more can be done, and wants to see more opportunities for women’s cricket so young players can have more time against quality opposition.
With talks of a domestic league for women in Pakistan, Khan believes it will increase the strength of their side, currently ranked eighth in the world.
Pakistan have competed in four ODI World Cups, remaining winless in the 2013 and 2017 editions, but Khan says their team is geared up for this year’s tournament.
* CWC22 with Jimmy and Kristy is a vodcast made by LockerRoom, Sky Sport and CWC22. Watch the video above.
