Interviews

A Day in the Life of…

7th February 2014

1535

Salma Bi

Every month we will be bringing you an exclusive insight of a day in the life of an influential personality. Looking at what inspires them, defining the passion they have for what they do and exploring a day of their life.

Meet Salma Bi.

Nurse. Cricketer. Wife. A woman who has achieved more than an average woman may achieve in her entire life combined. The Asian Today sat down with the athlete to talk about her recent nuptials, coaching and her long list of accomplishments.

Tell me about yourself.

I’m a very calm person, I make time for others and I love my Philosophy. I have witnessed a lot in my life and with close ones taken away from me at such an early age, I’ve learned time waits for no-one. My job reminds me about life and death each day, I appreciate everything done for me and around me. I know everything you want only you can achieve it by working for it, it won’t come to you. I’m open to criticism and once I’ve committed to doing something I will go on to completing it no matter what the obstacles were.

What made you pick cricket over other sport?

I began playing cricket aged 10 alongside my brothers and father.

The sport has influenced many Asian families and at the time of the World Cup being showcased I was only ever going to pick it up and implement the art. Watching one of my role-models Shane Warne, I, over time mastered the off-spin using her unique unorthodox spin. At secondary school I was captain of my team which got me recognised for county trials. Because I was not playing for a club, Warwickshire did not select me, even after many years of trials.

How was it explaining the news, about cricket, to your parents?

We played a lot of cricket in the back garden, which was especially designed to play such a sport. My family knew I was captain at school and was put forward for talented players and County but it only hit them when I was committing myself outside school hours and travelling to different grounds each week. At first it was difficult but my elder siblings did support it. My Dad coming from a sporting background encouraged it a lot more when I was bringing home medals and trophies.

I have been described as “a young, talented and creative” and have said to have caused a quite a stir. I have been up against many barriers being Muslim – fitting in, not having the facility to practise and starting at a older age, but I has no regrets. Everything happens when you’re ready at the right time.

You play cricket for Worcestershire County; how did that feel like?

This was a life changing moment for me, Something that has not yet been achieved and here I am who has done the unheard of, I’ve not looked back since I’m so proud about how I’ve come and yet I feel there is still more to reach!

At the aged 22, I made history by trialing for Worcestershire County Cricket Club and went on to become the first, and to date only, Asian Muslim female to represent the county in their long history. Now a regular, I have become a key player in a team full of talent and have helped push Worcestershire towards the Division Two County Championship. Last season I was third highest wicket-taker in the club – the top two were men because they played a few extra games. I have taken over 170 wickets in the last five years of playing cricket and have no intention of stopping yet. My bowling is watched by many and I don’t think I have witnessed anyone who can bowl just like me!

Professionally, you are a nurse, how do you divide your time?

I’m a Qualified Renal Adult Nurse working full-time which requires me to work long 12 hour shifts and 38 hours per week. I use my time wisely; I work throughout Sept to April involving indoor cricket games and County training and then take more time out using annual leave to save for my Eventful cricket season from April to August.

Why did you choose nursing?

At college I studied Law a Legal Executive Diploma but I always had the passion for caring and being challenged. My dream was to work in a Hospital, losing my mother aged 9 I felt this urge to make myself something valuable to the society. I felt she would be proud if I came back to the community and progressed in life. I love my job it gives me a lot of respect, I can gain that trust with my patients but most importantly it’s the reality of life and reminds me that I should quit complaining and that I am so much fortunate then some of these patients here. Nursing requires a lot of patience which I have and along with the desire to do more in life by taking my skills further and to work abroad.

You have won countless awards for your community programmes; what type of projects have you been involved in?

Roles and Achievements of Salma Bi

· Warwickshire Level 1 Umpire

· Warwickshire Level 2+ Coach

· Worcestershire County Cricket Club Senior Women’s Squad Player

· Marylebone Cricket Club Representative Player

· Five Ways Old Edwardians Cricket Club Women’s & Men’s 3rds Player

· Wall Cricket Club Men’s Squad Player

· Tamworth Ladies Cricket Squad Player

· Hawarden Park Cricket Club Squad Player

· Great White Sharks Futsal Team Captain & Goalkeeper

· Fiveways Zombies Indoor Cricket Captain

· Birch Coppice Football Club player

:Football Futures Goal Keeper

:Sutton Coldfield Reserves Football Club Player

· British-Asian Sports Awards 2009 Outstanding Achievement Award Winner

· Asian Women of Achievement inaugural Sports Award Winner 2012

· British-Asian Sports Award 2010 Coach of the Year Runner-up

· Muslim Women’s Sport Foundation Ambassador Awards Runner-up 2012

· OSCA’s Nat west Volunteer of the Year Award 2012 Building Partnerships Winner

:Bradford’s Inspirational Women’s Awards 2013 Nominee

· Heamodialysis Renal Adult Nursing

· Believe In MAD |Making A Difference| Founder

· Sporting Pathways Co-Founder (Community Interest Company)

:Muslim Sports Association ambassador

· Hosted First Ever Women Futsal Marathon 10-Hour Record 2012

· Hosted Women’s Indoor T10 Cricket World Cup 2012

· Hosted Women’s Futsal Marathon 20-Hour Record 2012

:Hosted World Dodge Ball 2013

: Hosted Women’s Indoor T10 Cricket World Cup 2013

You have also been involved in cricket coaching and futsal; how successful have these sessions been?

Cricket Coaching is important to me, when I first began playing cricket I was given no coaching all learned by observation and constant practice. During County Season I utilised all coaches whether there was club, Australian/South African/Pakistani, male or female I took something from each session and improved on my ability and technique.

I myself am now a Club Coach Level 2+ encouraging and nurturing the younger generation to begin cricket, assisting with district and county girls I run sessions at a state of the art Indoor Cricket Centre in Birmingham providing them one-to-one sessions or fitness regimes. With futsal the girls have come a long way, improving each season as a team and taking on bigger and better challenges. Each game is played with so much intensity; the girls can look back on each game report which is played every Wednesday Night. All blogs are updated on http://great-white-sharks.blogspot.com/

Out of everything that you achieved, what was the most memorable?

I’ve made many memories over time; I prefer playing the cricket performing then observing or attending Award Functions. Season 2013 was my best season so far beating my record of taking career best wickets, playing at Lords vs. Japan women and hitting a 6 in a men’s match. http://mad-cricket.blogspot.com/

In 2012, I made an appearance for a T20 side and hit a best 34 not out in five overs with non-stop fours and sixes. I finished with a career best figure of 5-13 off four overs for North Wales club Hawarden Park’s T20 team. Also in 2012, I took four wickets for Worcestershire for the first time. Sometimes all it takes is to get a little boost and the whole team will gain confidence.

What is an average day in your life like?

I live a very busy life but I don’t know any better! I have a high adrenaline consumption which requires me to stay on the move to use up all the restored energy. I wake up by 6am to get to my daily job for 7am which won’t finish until 7.30pm just after around 8pm I either have a Futsal Match, Football/Cricket Training to go to which means I finish my day by 10pm and it could start all over again. On a day off it could be cricket season arriving at a ground for 12pm for warm-up game of 50overs match which may not finish until 7pm. Everyday in my life is different and I love that, I learn something new everyday. I try to work that harder the next day to come.

Aside from cricket; what hobbies do you have?

When given the time I enjoy my own time so I’ll hit the gym, a bit of basketball or squash, see what’s on at the local sports centre on the day or take it easy cook something up spend quality time with family and watch movies.

Who is your sporting hero?

I grew up watching Shane Warne play on TV representing Australia at the World Cup, He for me turn heads and brought something so unique to cricket it inspired me to mirror the same unorthodox off-spin technique. As for the recent years following women’s cricket captain and fellow friend Charlotte Edwards is a role model to me, a player who bats exceptionally well and who has brought England Women to new Light.

You recently got married; do you intend to keep playing and coaching?

I grew up being asked “Are your parents okay with you playing cricket?” and it was fine especially when my Dad proudly told family and friends what I do. It’s a common question I keep being asked, I have so much respect for Sohail Mughal, my husband. We’ve married each other by accepting each other and that’s the most important part about love, you love someone for who they are. I have a lot of respect for my husband, we share such great understanding, he amazes me sometimes with his way of thinking, as we are so alike and strive to reach the same goals in life.

We intend to be a couple who will go on to inspire more and more youngsters to get into sports and take up a good career. Sohail is not only a Fitness Instructor but a model, teacher and completing his Masters. My wedding gift was a Custom designed BOOMBOOM Cricket Bat; it only now motivates me to play even more and make him proud and hopefully one day InshAllah our children will need to know what their parents did in their time. You might witness both Mr and Mrs playing in the same match, which sure will be one top competition. We will go on to encourage each other to do more rather than feel it should stop. Sports is not forbidden its just not promoted enough when women play but we are changing this everyday and what better soul mate to have who wants the same for himself and you.

Pick One

Pakistan Cricket or England Cricket Team:

Pakistan men’s Team

England Women’s Team

Birmingham City or Aston Villa

Aston Villa Football Club but I support Real Madrid

English Food or Asian Food

Either I love food!

Futsal or Original Football

Futsal-Pace and more Technique Involved

Morning or Night

I wake up 6am everyday no matter what