Skipper Kazi: It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for us

The MCA President’s XI women’s team led by Humaira Kazi (top row, fourth from left) at Heathrow Airport in London on Sunday

In a significant first, not just for the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) but across all BCCI-affiliated state units, a women's MCA President's XI team, led by Humaira Kazi, left the city's shores on Saturday for an exposure trip to the UK.

The men's MCA President's XI team recently returned from a successful England tour (won 12 and drew two games).

The women's tour will comprise 10 one-dayers and two T20s. The MCA President's XI women's team will start their one-day series against Combined Counties at St Cross Symondians CC in Winchester on Monday.

"This tour is a significant step in providing our women cricketers valuable international exposure and competitive experience. We have always believed in proactive thinking, and MCA remains committed to nurturing talent that will strengthen Mumbai cricket," MCA president Ajinkya Naik told mid-day from London on Saturday.

Kazi, who represented India ‘A' in the Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament in Bangkok last February, is excited about this assignment. "All of us are very excited to play in England, and for most of us it's the first time that we'll play cricket outside India. It's a once in lifetime opportunity. Going by whatever cricket we have seen in England, the bounce is good, wickets are good, and the ball does something in favour of the bowler. So, it's all about scoring runs and taking the team across the line," Kazi told mid-day, going on to express her gratitude to MCA president Naik, secretary Unmesh Khanvilkar and Cricket Improvement Committee chairman Raju Kulkarni for giving the city's women's cricketers this opportunity.

The women's team has 18 players in the age group U-16 to the senior category.

"It's our President and Apex Council's vision to give our women cricketers the experience of playing cricket in England where the conditions are different. We have selected our best performers for this tour. This tour will help our players prepare for the upcoming domestic season," MCA secretary Dr Unmesh Khanvilkar told mid-day.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever