BHUBANESWAR 20-Aug-2012 248
Rasanara Parbin emerged as the Eid ka Chand of cricket in Odisha when she was included in the 14-member Indian team for the ICC Women’s T-20 World Cup, scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka from September 26 to October 7.
A right-arm off-spinner and a lower-order batsman, Rasanara would be the second women cricketer from Odisha after Madhuri Meheta to turn international. Both Madhuri and Rasanara belong to Bolangir district and were groomed by coach Nayak. Making her international debut in February this year, Madhuri played one T20 international and two ODIs during India`s tour of West Indies.
Petite and articulate, Rasanara, 20, took to cricket five years ago. Impressive performance at the district, state, zonal and national level finally fetched her what every sportsperson dreams for _ a National cap. A magnificent haul of five wickets for three runs against Jharkhand remains her best bowling performance till date.
Daughter of Efatullah Khan and Hushnara Begum of Bibhutipada, Balangir, Rasanara said she was eager to perform well in the international arena. ``We (the probables) worked hard at the National camp, under the guidance of Anju Jain. Besides sharpening our cricketing skills, we gained in confidence and learnt a lot about positive thinking. All the players are fit like fiddle and determined to do well in the ensuing World Cup,`` said the talented bowler on her arrival here.
OCA secretary Asirbad Behera described Rasanara`s inclusion in the World Cup team as a proud moment for cricket in Odisha, particularly women’s cricket and announced a cash award of Rs 1 lakh as incentives for the new cricket star of the state.
``We congratulate Rasanara for bringing glory to our state and take this opportunity to appeal to all women cricketers in Odisha to follow the footsteps of Rasanara who has aptly proved to be a great source of inspiration for our women cricketers,`` OCA secretary said in a statement.
Rasanara expressed happiness for her selection and thanked Odisha Cricket Association, Bolangir District Athletic Association, her parents and first coach Arun Kumar Nayak for helping her come thus far. ``I was about to board the flight to Bhubaneswar, when BDAA secretary Hari Narayan Pujari called up to break the news of my selection. I was overwhelmed and could not believe it initially,`` said Rasanara, who returned home on Monday after attending a month-long National camp at Guntur in Andhra Pradesh.
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PHOTO: OCA secretary Asirbad Behera felicitates woman cricketer Rasanara Parbin in Cuttack on August 20, 2012.
