Pakistan floods touch former US women’s player

Sana Razzak loved playing cricket in the Eastern Conference when she and her family lived in the United States several years ago. As an all-rounder she had the skills and past international experience to win national selection.

But because of the recession in the US her husband, Umer Imtiaz, lost his job in communications and they had to return to Islamabad in Pakistan with their daughter, Fatima, now three.

Sana had really wanted to represent the US senior women’s team, but because of the visa she had she could not be considered for selection.

Now Sana, 27, who has a degree in computer science and a black belt in karate, is a full time player in Islamabad as a high order bat and spinner, but cricket is now secondary following the horrific floods in northern Pakistan, claiming more than 1,500 lives and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless.

The tragedy has affected the whole country and now heavy rains in Islamabad, said Sana, had even touched her own family.

In a telephone interview with cricketusamag.com, she said the heavy rains had flooded the basement of her brother’s home.

“The floods and rains have affected a lot of people and we are all trying to help the victims,” she said.

“The people are very supportive and doing everything possible to help the victims. People are volunteering to help and donating money, water, food, clothing and anything the flood victims need.”

“The Pakistan army is also doing a great job by rescuing people. Every individual is helping in any way they can and are not relying on the government.”

Sana said that the victims from the flood were now beginning to arrive in Islamabad for help and, hopefully, start a new life.

She said she and her family and friends were also helping the victims in any way they can.

Sana’s husband now has a job in Islamabad and she is playing cricket full time.

She recently won the best fielder award when her team competed in a national women’s tournament.

In 2003 Pakistan introduced a women’s competition and Sana was in the nation’s top 24-player squad. She competed with the second X1 team before she moved to the US.

Sana worked hard to stay fit and in match condition when she moved to the US and hoped she would be selected to play for the US senior women’s team.

She regularly worked out with the North Atlanta men’s cricket team to sharpen her skills while waiting for the opportunity to play in a women’s league.