Born on February 23rd 1978 in Jacobabad, Sind, former Test and ODI cricketer for Pakistan, Kiran Baluch has the highest score in women’s Tests.
At a time when it was neither fashionable nor desirable for women to play sport in Pakistan, Kiran joined up with the pioneer sisters Shaiza Khan and Sharmeen Khan and played in the fledgling Fatima Jinnah Trophy. On the basis of her performances in this tournament, Kiran was selected in the first ever Pakistan team to play ODI cricket.
The team toured New Zealand for two ODIs at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The team was bowled out for 56, with Kiran top scoring with 19. In the second match New Zealand amassed 5/455 with Kiran trapping the top scorer captain Maia Lewis for 105. It was a tough introduction for Pakistan on the world stage.
Test cricket wasn’t any easier for emerging cricket nation. Against Sri Lanka in 1997/8 Kiran scored 76 in her debut innings, a lone hand with the bat as Pakistan were defeated by 309 runs. It was a similar tale against Ireland although this time Kiran scored very few runs and the defeat was even heavier.
Her third and final Test for Pakistan, and indeed the team’s was against the West Indies in 2003/4 at Karachi. Kiran opened the batting with sixteen year old Sajjida Shah. As if to exorcise the demons of the last few years, Kiran and Sajjida put on an opening stand of 241 before the latter was dismissed for 98. It remains the highest first wicket partnership in women’s Tests.
Kiran pressed on, and when she passed 200 she went past Joanne Broadbent, then Kirsty Bond and Michelle Goszko at 204. She passed Karen Rolton at 209. When she went past Mithali Raj at 214 Kiran Baluch was out there on her own, now the highest scorer in Test cricket. She was finally out for 242 a record that remains today.
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