Ashmira bowls her way to the top
Dundee's own Malinga makes waves in KZN.
Ashmira Pather is breaking down the stereotypes and proving that cricket isn’t just a sport for men.
The talented teen was recently selected to represent the KZN Inlands at u/19 level. Nicknamed ‘Malinga’ because of her trademark action, which resembles the Sri Lankan pace bowlers’ style, Ashmira is making a name for herself in the cricketing world. Naturally talented with both bat and bowl, Ashmira is only beginning her rise to the top and dreams of representing the women’s national team in the future. Her love for the sport started at an early age, playing backyard cricket with her cousins.
Soon her love for the game started to grow and with her dad coaching her, Ashmira began to bowl coaches over with her impressive displays for her school team. However, with cricket not being that popular among the females in the area, there were times when there were not enough girls to make up a team.
This meant less game time for Ashmira who was eager to prove herself. She persevered on and took the opportunities given to her and as a result was selected for the KZN side.
It’s the first time Ashmira has made the squad but she plans on making sure it’s not her last. When she’s not playing sport, she’s watching sport but also cooking and baking. Despite her love for the game, Ashmira is also an aspiring Forensic Investigator and plans to study toward it when she finishes matric this year. Despite her ambitions of the pitch, she still has big dreams on it and hopes to inspire more girls to take up the sport. “If you feel you can do it then go for it. It’s not just a sport for the boys, she said.”
The next step on the journey for the cricket chick is u/19 week in Nelspruit where Ashmira will play with and against some of the most talented young female cricketers in the country.
She thanked her parents for their support as well as her brother Nikhil and her cousins helping her hone her cricket skills. She also thanked her coach at school.
Anyone wishing to help sponsor the cricketing prodigy can contact her on 079 102 9014.
