Diana Baig

Born in Gilgit, Diana Baig used to play both football and cricket as a youngster. Her football career, though, wasn’t as organized and predetermined so she decided to give cricket a shot. Since her childhood, Baig wanted to be the fastest bowler in the country and she didn’t disappoint.

Baig’s first domestic introduction came in 2011 in the T20 Pentagular Women’s Tournament where she didn’t get an opportunity to bowl. The same year she made her debut in List A cricket conceding 18 runs in five overs and also picking up a crucial wicket.

After three long years, the Gilgit-born pacer was given the opportunity to represent Pakistan A side against Bangladesh, and seeing her fiery deliveries, the national selectors decided to include her in the playing XI in a T20 match against West Indies on November 1st, 2015. She was mesmeric on her debut conceding just 18 runs in four overs and also picked up the crucial wicket of Stacy-Ann King. 

Replacing the ever-reliable Kainat Imtiaz in the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup, Baig immediately awestruck the West Indies Legend Ian Bishop with her inswingers and fielding performances. Securing her spot in Pakistan’s playing XI, she proved to be one of the best bowlers in the 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

In the limited-overs series against South Africa, Baig finished as the leading wicket-taker in the series after picking up a career-best 4 for 30 in the final match of the ODI series as the Proteas completed a series whitewash against Pakistan Women in January 2021. 

(As of March 2021)