Legendary West Indies all-rounder Anisa Mohammed was honoured for her illustrious, two-decade-long international career, as a professional cricketer for West Indies and Trinidad and Tobago’s women’s teams.
Mohammed, 35, was one of four seasoned West Indies women campaigners, including Shakera Selman, Kycia Knight and Kyshona Knight, who called time on their international career in mid-January.
The right-arm off-break bowler, however, had the most illustrious career of the quartet and was paid a special tribute to by the TT Cricket Board (TTCB), TT Women’s Cricket Association (TTWCA) and member of the current national women’s senior team and staff on Monday.
At the National Cricket Centre in Couva, players, coaches and administrators highlighted Mohammed’s lengthy list of accomplishments, which deservedly positions her among the globe’s elite cricketers.
Top of her list, Mohammed said, was her becoming the first cricketer, male or female, to record 100 T20 International in 2018, and the West Indies’ capture of the 2016 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
She explained why these two major accomplishments meant so much to her. “After I earned the 100 T20I wickets, I only knew it was for both men and women when I got back to the hotel. I was shocked because, at that time, players like Samuel Badree, Sunil Narine, Shahid Afridi and Lasith Malinga were still playing,” she said.
“Winning the World Cup two years before was also something extra special to me and the team. It meant a whole lot.”
Mohammed is currently employed at Arawak and Company Limited in the accounts department. She continues to express interest in coaching and is willing to help improve both the TT and WI teams “whenever the opportunity arises.”
When asked about some of the challenges faced on her competitive travels across the globe, Mohammed said being away from family took the biggest toll.
“I’m a family person and I spent a lot of time away from home. After having a bad day or just a long day of cricket with the same players, and sometimes you wanted the comfort of your family, to have that reassurance and love from them. Not having my family close was my biggest challenge,” she added.
Looming back on her career, Mohammed was generally pleased and said cricket made her into a better person.
“I think I had a pretty successful career. There were also a lot of lows as well. I’m happy I was able to play for so many years and accomplish so much. But it could not have done that without the support of my family, friends, teammates, coaches and technical staff.
“It has definitely helped me to become a calmer person. Before cricket, I wasn’t very calm but the sport has helped me to become calmer, humble and appreciate where you come from. Sport helped keep me out of trouble.”
Also sharing their experiences working alongside Mohammed through the years were former national player and TTCB executive member Ann Browne-John, TTWCA president Majorie Thomas, Red Force women’s captain Britney Cooper and TTCB first vice president Arjoon Ramlal.
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