Hockey’s ‘slap’, shot put power make cricketer Juairiya

Juairiya Ferdous, who earned a maiden call-up to the national team for the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifiers in Nepal starting January 18, has not only represented Bangladesh in multiple sports but also excelled in disciplines like hockey, kabaddi, and athletics. In an exclusive interview with The Daily Star’s Abdullah Al Mehdi, the 20-year-old wicketkeeper-batter spoke about her batting approach, childhood dreams, and how her multi-sport journey shaped her cricketing identity. The excerpts are as follows:

The Daily Star (DS): How do you feel about your maiden national team call-up?

Juairiya Ferdous (JF): The feeling is wonderful and honestly hard to put into words. Since childhood, I have dreamt of playing for the national team. Now that I have this opportunity, I will try to utilise it and give something good back to my country.

DS: The selectors emphasised your ‘clean-hitting’. What is your Powerplay approach?

JF: I feel very confident batting in the Powerplay. With only two fielders outside the circle, I feel confident to play big shots.

DS: Do you think you will be assigned wicketkeeping duties in the qualifiers?

JF: Our captain and another opener are also wicketkeepers, but I am always prepared. I have been keeping wickets since inter-school level. My mother encouraged me to take it up to avoid the toll and injuries associated with pace bowling.

DS: You have played many sports and won three golds at the 2023 Bangladesh Youth Games. Where did this fascination come from?

JF: My mother is a physical education teacher at a high school. I grew up watching her train girls in athletics, kabaddi, handball, volleyball, cricket, table tennis, and badminton. Naturally, I started participating in these events for my school.

DS: Are you still involved in these sports while studying?

JF: I don’t play them regularly now, but I compete in university games. I am a third-year student at Dhaka University and have won championships in athletics, handball, volleyball, and swimming at university level. Since I miss some classes due to practice, my teachers consider my attendance, and my friends help with notes.

DS: You were once part of the national hockey team. Why shift focus to cricket?

JF: Representing Bangladesh in hockey was the first best feeling of my life. But the future and facilities in cricket are better in our country. In 2020, while in Dhaka for a hockey tournament, my mother suggested I attend the women’s cricket camp at BKSP. I was selected from 200 girls for a six-month camp. The coaches said that I had the natural power to succeed in cricket.

DS: You won three gold medals in one day at the Bangladesh Youth Games. Tell us about that.

JF: I won gold in shot put in the morning and set a record. Immediately afterwards, I took my hockey gear and went to the field for the final, and won another gold. In the evening, we won the kabaddi match for the third gold. I have represented Bangladesh in both hockey and cricket and was called to national camps for hockey and kabaddi. But because contact sports carry risks, I decided to focus on cricket from the U-19 World Cup phase. Still, I am proud of my hockey journey, and I miss it.

DS: How have other sports influenced your cricket?

JF: My batting power comes from athletics, especially shot put. The ‘slap’ or hitting techniques from hockey significantly helped my bat swing and sweeps in cricket. Also, the intense fitness and footwork required for hockey helped me perform better in cricket.

DS: How has your family supported you?

JF: My mother has always been my biggest supporter. She played at district level in Jhenaidah and understands sports deeply. My father was initially hesitant, but once he saw my progress, he became fully supportive. Now my entire family stands by me.