GUANGZHOU - Pakistan's women's team was "on top of the world" after winning the first Asian Games cricket gold medal on Friday.

The victory also handed Pakistan its first gold of these games and prevented Bangladesh from claiming its first ever.

"It is a great achievement by the women athletes of Pakistan. We made history," said team captain Sana Mir, after defeating Bangladesh by 10 wickets in the tournament's final.

"Women in Pakistan are very strong and they are encouraged to be involved in sports and that's the reason why the team could make it this far," she added.

Mir also dispelled the rumor that men were not allowed to watch women playing cricket in Pakistan.

"Not only can they watch, but they can also train with us," she said.

"People should not always focus on bad things about the country like terrorism, but positive things like what the team has achieved here today," she said.

"I couldn't be more proud of the girls," said Syed Arif Hasan, president of the Pakistan Olympic Association, after presenting the gold medals. "Everyone is so excited about it back home."

Japan won the bronze match by seven wickets over China. Both captains were in tears after the match, but for different reasons.

"Cricket is only a very small sport in Japan and I really hope by winning this medal we can gain greater recognition. It means so much for us," said tearful Ema Kuribayashi, Japan's captain. "China was geared up to win on home soil so we knew it would not be an easy match."

China's captain, Wang Meng said: "We had the chance to win it (the medal), and that could have changed the destiny of the sport in China.

"Unfortunately, we lost and this kind of opportunity only comes every four years," an emotional Weng said.

"It is a pity that we didn't win, but we absolutely tried our best."

She said she treasured the experience of playing "real cricket" with passion in the tournament.

After putting up a brave performance, the Chinese players bowed to thank the support of the audience. For a team that had only trained for three years, China achieved its goal at the tournament - to make it to the top four.

Bangladesh coach Rai Choudhury believes China can become a force in the game in the not too distant future.

"I think it is a team with great potential because it is progressive and never gives up," said Choudhury.

Liu Rongyao, manager of the men and women's teams, said what China desperately needs is to let more young people learn and play the sport, which is still unknown to most.

China Daily

(China Daily 11/20/2010)