AB de Villiers is my only hero: Javeria Khan

KARACHI: While the news of AB de Villiers’ coming for Pakistan Super League (PSL) games to Pakistan has already excited cricket fans across the country, Pakistan women cricketers’ are also not behind in eagerness to see one of the best cricketing talents in the world.

Among them, is Pakistan’s senior batswoman Javeria Wadood Khan who terms AB de Villiers as her “only hero” in her career.

Javeria, one of the most experienced cricketers in Pakistan’s women team, told Geo.tv that the presence of AB de Villiers in PSL has made her more excited about the league which is set to commence on February 14th.

“I have always followed AB de Villiers, be it fielding or batting. I would have changed my style the moment I would see him changing his style,” Javeria said on the sidelines of Pakistan Women Cricket team’s camp in Karachi.

“I have learned a lot from seeing him play but I have never got the opportunity to meet him ever in my life. With him coming for PSL to Pakistan, I am not only aiming to meet him, but also to seek some batting and fielding tips from him,” she said while adding that she would have loved to see him playing at Karachi’s national stadium.

AB de Villiers, who is drafted by Lahore Qalandars for PSL 4, announced last week that he would also travel to Lahore to play last two league matches for Qalandars.

And, this news has made Javeria more hopeful of seeing her dream of meeting AB de Villiers coming true.

“I will go to Lahore and will try to meet him,” she said.

She also reiterated her demand of having a PSL for women so that it can allow Pakistan women cricket grow.

“It will have so many advantages simultaneously,” Javeria said.

“While it will help our girls learn from players from other countries, it will also professionalize the league,” the veteran of 92 ODIs and 85 T20Is said.

She hoped that with the growth of Pakistan women cricket, soon some of the Pakistani players will also get an opportunity to play in Australia’s Women Big Bash League.

She also credited team’s batting consultant, Andy Richards, for improvement in the batting of Pakistan women team.

“Although we still have a room for improvement, we have improved a lot in the last few months. Andy has been guiding us very well as he’s coming from Australia where women cricket is very strong,” she said.

Javeria also hoped that Pakistan will be able to produce better results in series against West Indies, saying that preparation to face West Indies is in full swing and girls are motivated to give their best.