Exclusive: BCB planning women's T20 league for us, says Jahanara Alam

Jahanara Alam said if women's cricket in UAE seen just as cricket, then playing there will not be an issue.

Hyderabad: Bangladesh women's cricketer Jahanara Alam spoke about a wide range of topics in an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat. Talking about cricket activities in her country, Alam said, "Our country is a cricket crazy nation like India. Apart from men's cricket, women's cricket has also started gaining momentum. Bangladesh women's team started playing international cricket from 2007. Since then team empowerment is being done, but if we talk about the players then they are criticized heavily for non-cricketing reasons. Many national players also face different kinds of difficulties. "

Women's cricket in Bangladesh

Alam further said, "Even outside the national team, the players have faced stigma for playing cricket. But I think the conditions have improved a lot since winning the Asia Cup in 2018. Now the conditions have improved a lot. Parents are also encouraging their children playing the sport. I have heard that women's players from other countries are also being criticized. But now in Bangladesh, there is no criticism maybe because we are not playing cricket now in the wake of the pandemic. But BCB has done a great job to create awareness regarding women's cricket in Bangladesh. BCB is planning a tour for us. If the men's team is getting a one-hour batting session, we are also getting an equal opportunity."

Jahanara Alam's career details

On media coverage

Asked if the team is getting enough coverage from the media, Alam said, "We are getting support from every quarter, but we also need support from the media. We need more and more media coverage. Our World Cup matches are being broadcasted, but there was no broad media coverage on our matches. I feel that our updates are not reaching the people because of that."

Asked about her opinion about equal pay for female and male players, Alam said, "I think that women's cricketers deserve payment as per the boys. At present, the difference in payment is huge."

She was also asked about Indian women's players playing in overseas T20 leagues. How it benefits them? "4-5 players from India are playing in the WBBL. It helps them when they play Australia women's team in international cricket. They get to know each other. So, I think this is one of the reasons that Indian players are playing in the WBBL. "

League for Bangladesh women

Regarding the BCB's plan to promote women's cricket, Alam said, "During the pandemic, the BCB president held a meeting, so that they could plan the schedule for future tournaments."

Bangladesh women's team cricketer Jahanara Alam

She also believes an IPL like a tournament for women in Bangladesh would soon be a reality. "Discussion for the women's T20 league is also going on. Right now this thing is not being discussed in the media, because it is not known when it will start."

Women's cricket in the UAE

Asked about the possibility of playing women's tournaments in UAE, Alam said, "There have been many women's tournaments in the UAE, and Pakistan has also hosted many tournaments there. If women go and play there then it will not harm the religion, and I believe cricket should be taken just like cricket, it should not be viewed like women's cricket or men's cricket. If we see it that way then there will be no problem in playing any tournament in the UAE. "

Regarding the advantages of having the WT20 Challenger in the UAE, Alam said, "With the WT20 Challenger being held in the UAE, it is possible that there will also be a women's team of the UAE in near future."