Interview with Cara Murray from Lahore - Ireland Women’s first-ever tour to Pakistan
©Cricket Ireland / Oisin Keniry
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Interview with Cara Murray from Lahore - Ireland Women’s first-ever tour to Pakistan
The Ireland Women’s squad have been training at the Gaddafi Stadium ahead of the first match of their first-ever tour of Pakistan. Legspinner Cara Murray was talking from training today.
What are your first impressions of Pakistan as a country?
CM: We've been welcomed very well by the locals and those at the hotel. They even had an irish menu prepared for us which was a really nice touch. The conditions, outfield and wickets look good as well.#
How has training and the facilities been at Lahore?
CM: The training has been good, we had a heavy day yesterday and a bit of a lighter session today and tomorrow. Facilities have been good, it's been good to get out on grass after a winter period at home. The girls are all adapting and we're looking forward to Friday.
Will you have to adjust your bowling tactics for Pakistan conditions?
CM: I don't think I'll adjust too much juding by the practise wickets. They are a bit slower than we're use to, training back indoors obviously being a bit quicker. I'll probably go slower and try get some turn if their is any.
Do you anticipate spin friendly conditions out there?
CM: I think there probably will be some spin out there, judging by the practise wickets, but it's hard to know when we've never played here before. We're going off the practise wickets and there has been some turn - so hoping as a spinner to have some turn out there. The batters have been pracitising hard in the nets so hopefully if it does happen Friday we're best prepared for it.
It's been almost five years since you made your debut, what have you learned in that time?
CM: I've learnt the hard way, it's very difficult to bowl, some of the days go better than others and you have to take them as they come.
THE FIXTURES
The fixtures will be:
4 November: Pakistan v Ireland – 1st ODI (Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore; 9.30am start local time)*
6 November: Pakistan v Ireland – 2nd ODI (Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore; 9.30am start local time)*
9 November: Pakistan v Ireland – 3rd ODI (Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore; 9.30am start local time)*
12 November: Pakistan v Ireland – 1st T20I (Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore; 10am start local time)
14 November: Pakistan v Ireland – 2nd T20I (Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore; 10am start local time)
16 November: Pakistan v Ireland – 3rd T20I (Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore; 10am start local time)
* the ODIs are part of the ICC Women’s Championship
THE SQUADS
Ireland
ODI squad: Laura Delany (capt), Rachel Delaney, Amy Hunter, Shauna Kavanagh, Arlene Kelly, Gaby Lewis, Louise Little, Jane Maguire, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Celeste Raack, Eimear Richardson, Rebecca Stokell, Mary Waldron.
T20I squad: Laura Delany (capt), Amy Hunter, Shauna Kavanagh, Arlene Kelly, Gaby Lewis, Louise Little, Sophie MacMahon, Jane Maguire, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Celeste Raack, Eimear Richardson, Rebecca Stokell, Mary Waldron.
Pakistan
ODI squad: Bismah Maroof (capt), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk) and Umm-e-Hani. Reserve players: Ayesha Naseem and Tuba Hassan
T20I squad: Bismah Maroof (capt), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Fatima Sana, Javeria Khan, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Nashra Sandhu, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin and Tuba Hassan. Reserve players: Ghulam Fatima, Sidra Nawaz and Umm-e-Hani
