At an age when most women in Pakistan are settling down to married life, Qanita Jalil looks forward to taking part in the women's World Cup in Australia, which starts on Saturday. Proudly sporting her green Pakistani track suit, Jalil said her five brothers had encouraged her to play cricket. While their male counterparts are idolised and earn millions, women's cricket in Pakistan is still an amateur sport. Playing opportunities and training facilities are scarce for girls. In a country where people struggle to balance a lifestyle based on Islamic values and moderate liberalism, cricket remains a binding force for many. Girls and women have had to follow a strict code and play before female-only crowds. The Pakistan team which qualified for the 2009 World Cup last year in South Africa is an interesting blend of women from privileged backgrounds and big cities and those from smaller towns and conservative families. They all faced the same problem of having to win the support of their parents and male relatives to allow them to play sport. There has been women's cricket in Pakistan since the 1980s but this will be the team's first official World Cup appearance. A team not recognised by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) competed in 1997 and finished bottom of their group. Pakistan defeated Ireland, Netherlands, Zimbabwe and Scotland in last year's qualifying tournament before losing to South Africa in the final. Their success generated a wave of media interest at home. Pakistan coach Umar Rasheed admits his team are up against heavy odds as they face India, England and Sri Lanka in the first round, but adds: “ I am optimistic. At times enthusiasm and team effort can overcome all odds.”
