Anisa thrilled over taking Lara’s wicket

EXPERIENCED national and West Indies women’s off-spinner Anisa Mohammed was thrilled after getting the wicket of the legendary Brian Lara, during a T20 charity match between the Daren Ganga XI and the Lara XI at the Daren Ganga Recreation Ground, Barrackpore on Saturday.

Both teams posted scores of 181 in their respective innings, but the Ganga XI prevailed via the super over.

During the super over phase, Mohammed had the 49-year-old Lara stumped by wicket-keeper Fazil Jahoor.

“It was a great feeling,” said Mohammed, during an interview yesterday. “In the actual game, he did hit me for a couple sixes but to come back and dismiss him first ball in the super over was a big achievement for me. After all, he is one of the best batters the world has ever seen.”

The 30-year-old Mohammed said she was not overawed during her battle with the ex-TT and West Indies captain.

“To me it was just a competition and I had to do my job,” she said. “But I was really excited when I got there and I found out I was playing against him.

“Daren said I would get the chance to bowl (at) him,” Mohammed continued. “I was looking forward to bowling against him actually. To be able to bowl to him and to bowl dot balls, that was a big thing to me.”

About the match, Mohammed said, “I think it was a good game. I think it was a good initiative by Ganga to have former West Indies players playing in those matches, giving the younger players the opportunity to play with these legends. And we enjoyed the game.”

There were four ex-WI players at the charity match – respective skippers Lara, Ganga, as well as regional captain and star left-handed batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, and leg-spinner Rajindra Dhanraj.

About the turn-out by the fans, Mohammed said, “I was amazed to see how many people actually came out to see that game. Some of the people there may not be able to go out the Oval to see them play. By Ganga bringing them there was a great initiative, giving the fans something to look forward to, to come out and see West Indies players play in their (backyard).”

Mohammed, who has taken 146 wickets in 115 One Day Internationals (ODIs) as well as 113 scalps in 99 T20 Internationals, only played in one match at last year’s Women’s T20 World Cup here in the Caribbean.

Remarkably, she did not even bowl in that match.

Looking ahead to the 2019 season, Mohammed said, “I’ll like to be able to pick up more wickets this year.”

The West Indies women’s team is expected to face Pakistan in three ODIs and three T20s from February 1-18 in the United Arab Emirates.

“I’m hoping to pick up some wickets against them,” said Mohammed.