Thomas hails Anisa’s 100th T20 milestone

VETERAN off-spinner Anisa Mohammed became the first West Indies Women player to compete in 100 T20 Internationals when she featured in the team’s comprehensive 71-run victory over hosts Pakistan, in the first of three T20s yesterday. And the 30-year-old celebrated her achievement by taking two wickets for 17 runs.

She currently holds the record as the leading T20 International wicket-taker (male or female) with 115 victims.

In an interview conducted by windiescricket.com yesterday, Mohammed said, “It’s a great feeling to achieve such a big milestone. For any cricketer, this is a big milestone and I’m really thankful for the opportunity that was given to me to represent the West Indies over the years.”

She added, “I’m one of the senior bowlers on this team. To be able to go out every game, take wickets, and put the batters under pressure is good.”

Mohammed had toured Pakistan with the WI team over a decade ago.

About the conditions, she said, “It’s similar to India and Bangladesh, so it wasn’t much adjusting. It’s good to be back after 15 years. It was just a matter of going out there and playing my game.”

Former WI Women team manager Marjorie Thomas was impressed by Mohammed’s accomplishment, as she hailed the spinner’s commitment and dedication to the sport.

“Anisa has accomplished what she has because of her hard work and dedication,” said Thomas. “She always strives to do the best that she can, and you can always look forward to full commitment any day at any given time.

“What she has achieved, she has worked hard for it,” Thomas continued. “She has really put in the time so I congratulate her for all the good thing that she has done, and what she’ll continue to do once she’s in the game.”

Mohammed had to endure a rough period last year when she did not bowl a single delivery – despite being fit – at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the Caribbean.

Asked about Mohammed's ability to maintain her focus, despite ups and downs, Thomas said, “Yes, she has. She is committed to the game. She loves the game. For Anisa not to play a game, something has to be terribly wrong.”

Thomas hopes that Mohammed’s feat can spur on the younger crop of WI players.

“It’s always something for a young player, if they’re really serious about the game, to have (as) a goal,” she said. “In the region, they would have something that they can aim towards. People like to break records. I think they will work towards it.”