Dubai: When the UAE women’s allrounder Nisha Ali won four ‘Player of the Match’ awards in a row in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s T20 Asia Qualifiers in Thailand last November, little did she realise that she had equalled the world record of one of the greats of the game — Sourav Ganguly. The former Indian captain had won four Man of the Match awards in succession against Pakistan during the Toronto Friendship Cup way back in 1997.
Though Nisha’s feat of equalling a record that stood for 20 years did not get the prominence it deserved, her performance helped the UAE reach the final of the tournament. The UAE lost the final to hosts Thailand, but Nisha took five wickets for just seven runs from her 3.1 overs.
It was Nisha’s match-winning unbeaten 36 against Malaysia that helped the UAE qualify for the ICC World Cup qualifiers — though she got run out in the final for just one run. Nisha had also bagged three wickets for nine runs and hit an unbeaten 24 to help the UAE win over Hong Kong.
Speaking to Gulf News about her performance, Nisha said: “I am happy with what I did but not satisfied. I wanted my team to win the final match as well but, I am glad that we have qualified for the world cup qualifiers.”
When asked about her record feat, Nisha said: “I considered myself blessed. These are the moments that just make your career so special.”
Nisha’s career is special in many ways. She is not just a cricketer but International Cricket Council (ICC) Level one coach too. She works as the Physical Education teacher of the JSS Private School and inspires youngsters to excel in the game by coaching at the Springs Cricket Coaching Academy.
“I am from Madhya Pradesh, where women hardly played cricket so when I went to Delhi to study for my Masters in Physical Education, I carried my love for cricket along and played first class cricket for Delhi. I was also picked by Air India to play for them,” said Nisha, who played University cricket and even represented Central and North Zone at the junior and senior level, with her highest score being an unbeaten 144 against Kolkata University.
Nisha then carried her love for cricket into the UAE and also induced the desire to excel in everyone. “Though I left India, I really consider myself fortunate to get another chance to chase my dream of playing at the international level in the UAE. My coaches at the various academies like Gopal Jasapara and Murali Sockalingam have commented that they can feel the energy I bring onto the field.”
Nisha’s aim is to improve as a player with the UAE team. “My plan is to prepare ourselves as a competitive team. We have talented players like Humaira Tasneem, Udeni Dona, Esha Oza and Roopa Nagraj. We as a team want to be strong. Our coach Murali gives huge support to the team and he believes in me to be successful.
“It is this responsibility that he has entrusted on me that has made me give my best. I want to excel in whatever I do, be it playing for the nation or in coaching youngsters”, she said.
