Women shine at World Twenty20

NOTTINGHAM, England: As New Zealand's Suzie Bates celebrated a stunning catch to send back Indian opener Anjum Chopra in their ICC Women's World Twenty20 semifinal at Trent Bridge on Thursday, somebody whispered at the back of the press centre: 'she's way better than Salman Butt', writes Khalid Hussain

Bates had raced to midwicket to take the sort of catch that would have even made any of her male counterparts proud. Butt, easily one of the worst fielders in the World Twenty20, would certainly have struggled to pocket such a catch.

For somebody watching an international cricket match between women teams for the first time, the girl power demonstrated by New Zealandand India on the field was an eye opener.

There may be a tendency in Pakistan to dismiss women's cricket as a waste of time, but it is quite evident that in many other parts of the cricketing world, the sport is being taken very seriously by the fairer sex.

The way Aaimee Watkins batted through the New Zealand innings for an unbeaten 89 off just 58 balls was a pleasant surprise. The New Zealand captain hit two sweetly-timed sixers and ten fours in her polished innings. The left-handed batswoman was both elegant and powerful and made batting look easy as she led her team in the final with a 52-run win over India.

Women's cricket has a long history that dates back to about 250 years.

The first recorded Women's Cricket Match held in England took place in 1745 between Bramley and Hambleton at Godsden Common, near Guildford, Surrey.

But its only in recent years that women's cricket has started to make news in our part of the world. Earlier this year, Pakistan women made a stunning accent to the Super Eights in the Women's World Cup in Australia.

Their performance was not as good in the World Twenty20 as Pakistan were knocked out of the event at the first hurdle.

But teams like New Zealand, England, Australia and India have done really well in the tournament.

Almost everybody associated with the women's contest that is running alongside the more popular World Twenty20 for men, has been in awe of the stunning show produced by the girls.

All of the match officials in the group matches in Taunton have expressed a mix of surprise and admiration for the standard of cricket on show.

"I'm loving their work!" says umpire Billy Bowden. "I first did women's cricket 10 years ago and there's been a tremendous improvement over the whole game, whether it's the fielding, batting or bowling. It's got so much more professional - they train just like the men nowadays.

"Back then, you'd have matches that would be over in half the time - now they're going the full distance. And the girls are bowling at 120kph - that's pretty quick. The New Zealand-Australia match in the group stages was high class. It was a joy to umpire."

Fellow umpire Daryl Harper whose last involvement with women's cricket dates back eight years, agrees with the New Zealander.

"Talking to all the umpires, we've agreed that we've definitely under-estimated the speed of the women's game today. Without a third umpire available at Taunton, we've had to be very sharp because of the women's skill levels, especially when fielders are having shots at the bowler's end."

There is a major difference with the men's game. Women, it turns out, don't waste too much time sledging.

"I'm a bit disappointed with the lack of chirping, actually" jokes Harper. "Seriously, though - the women play in a very good spirit. I can't remember any of them disputing any decisions. I think fans who haven't seen much women's cricket will be surprised."

The first semifinal at Trent Bridge, however, underlined the fact that women's cricket still has a long to go as far as viewership is concerned. There were barely a few hundred spectators at the venue when the match began as the venue only started to fill up after the game has ended - ahead of Pakistan's men's semifinal clash against South Africa. But such hurdles would fall if the women continue playing like this. Way to go girls!