Bangladesh veteran Fahima Khatun will play her 100 T20 International tomorrow – a mark few have the honour of attaining, ensuring years of hard work and perseverance is rewarded, along with what will no doubt be an emotional day to wear her country’s cap.
Fahima most recently celebrated her 100th T20I match, becoming one of only a select few Bangladeshi women to hit the landmark in a career stretching beyond ten years. She has played in every Women’s T20 World Cup involving Bangladesh and is still one of the most experienced players around in the national set-up.
Respected in the dressing room as much for her on-field performances as she is for handing out nuggets of wisdom, Fahima is lovingly referred to by nicknames like “Teacher” and “Herbal” (derived from herbal tea). The veteran took on her new role as mentor to young players at international level, advising them how to cope with the rigours of international cricket having evolved through experience herself.
Fahima thinks back to how far she has come on this occasion, and admitted pulling on the Bangladesh jersey still has the same feelings as when she first did it. The joy and pride of representing your country does not seem to diminish, despite all the matches, series and experiences garnered since making her debut in 2013.
Having played the game for so long, she has been part of women’s cricket’s growth in Bangladesh. Whether it was during the early stages of development or competing regularly with the best in the world, Fahima has been a consistent figure throughout some of teams most pivotal moments. With that experience, she brings much to the table on and off the field.
Though she sometimes misses being the center of attention, Fahima has welcomed her wider role in the team. She delights in building up the team towards success and supporting the next crop of cricketers, rather than dwelling on individual milestones.
Looking ahead, Fahima remains ambitious. Be it the performances on the field or her role in shaping up a new generation of cricketers, she wants to still contribute significantly to Bangladesh cricket.
The veteran all-rounder’s journey is a reminder that success does not always have to be about records and milestones as she embarks on the next chapter of her career; it could also leave behind an imprint for making way for those who follow.
Read More: https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/fahima-khatun-627048
