WHAT A YEAR SO FAR - SALMA BI

WHAT a fantastic year 2012 has been so far for award-winning sportsman Salma Bi - and there could still be more to come.
Over the past nine months, Salma's status in both the sporting world and Asian community has risen dramatically.
JANUARY
The year began with a two-page colour feature on Salma in The Asian Today newspaper which discussed her cricketing background and ambitious plans for 2012.
FEBRUARY
It was a good month for the Great White Sharks, the first female all-Asian futsal team to enter the Birmingham Women's League, and founded by Salma.
Their best result was an 8-1 win over Stingers B, in which Salma had a superb game in goal and Nazma Shaheen and Camilla Olsen scored four goals each.
MARCH
March was a huge month for Salma. Before International Women's Day, Sky Sports travelled to Birmingham to film Salma coaching cricket to young ladies.
She was later presented with a CD of all the footage, including interviews with her and some of the girls at the training session,
On March 10, Salma staged a non-stop Futsal Marathon at the Birmingham International Futsal Arena which lasted for a record 10 hours.
Salma captained Team Red and her friend Gemma Smith, the Arena's technical manager, led Team Blue in a highly successful event which raised over £1,000 for the National Autistic Society.
Twenty-four females took part and the Blue team won 167-100.
APRIL
Just six weeks later, Salma was back at the Arena in April hosting the Indoor T10 World Cup Cricket Tournament.
Teams representing England, Australia, Pakistan and India met on a round-robin basis and eventually the England team, captained by Salma, won a thrilling final against Australia.
Again over £1,000 was raised, this time for Mencap.
During April, Salma also appeared with her sister Anisha on Noor TV, where the pair discussed cricket and other sporting issues with presenter Ahmed Boston.
MAY
This month saw Salma gain deserved reward for her efforts in promoting sport when she was invited to two glittering award ceremonies in London.
At the Muslim Women Sports Foundation awards at Wembley Stadium, Salma was a finalist in the Services to Sport category.
Two weeks later, Salma was back in the capital at the ASIAN WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT awards at the plush Hilton Hotel.
This time Salma's success hit new heights as she was named the inaugural winner of the SPORT category, beating off the challenge of Britain's No1 women's tennis player Anne Keothavong.
Salma was a huge hit in this ceremony, her acceptance speech was the best of the night and the praise was ringing in her ears as she left the arena.
May really was a fantastic month for Salma as she also starred on the cricket field, helping Worcestershire Ladies to the top of Division Two. In a match against Cheshire, Salma claimed her best figures for the county of 4-25 off 10 overs.
JUNE
In June, Salma was featured in national magazine ALL OUT CRICKET where she answered questions about her career in a half-page spread. Great publicity!
Weatherwise, the summer was proving frustrating, with endless rain limiting Salma's cricket playing opportunities.
However, she kept busy on the Futsal court.
JULY
In July the Great White Sharks became the only team to beat league champions Two Left Feet during the season. Salma also scored three times from her goal!
AUGUST
It was back to winning awards in August, as Salma lifted the NatWest Volunteer of the Year accolade in the Building Partnerships category during a ceremony at Edgbaston.
Salma was also the subject of a two-page article in Fifteen21, a new internet magazine covering all aspects of Asian life.
The biggest triumph of August, however, came back at the Futsal Arena, where Salma and Gemma inspired a new record 20-hour non-stop Futsal marathon.
Thirty-three ladies took part, and Salma's Team Lime defeated Gemma's Team Tango 163-114.
Over £2,000 was raised for Cerebral Palsy Midlands on an unforgettable occasion which lasted from 4am to midnight!
SEPTEMBER
September has already delivered a major highlight for the Queen ov Speen!
Playing for North Wales side Hawarden Park in Cheshire Women's County League Division Three, Salma claimed career best bowling figures of 5-10 as Hawarden celebrated a famous victory in the last over at Oxton.
There are still three months of this year left to go, but whatever happens between now and the end of December, 2012 has been a truly remarkable year in the life of the inspirational Salma Bi.
And while her personal achievements can only be praised, Salma is always first to acknowledge her successes would not be possible without the help of others.
Teamwork is a key word for this very special person, who will continue to set new goals.

CAREER BEST FOR SALMA IN FAMOUS WIN

SALMA BI returned career best figures of 5-10 in Hawarden Park's fabulous last over victory in Sunday's Cheshire Women's Cricket League Division Three match at Oxton.
The Queen ov Speen had the option to play for three teams on the day, but decided to help the ladies of Hawarden for whom she enjoyed playing so much at Oakmere earlier this season.
This Pro30 match was Hawarden's last of the season and what a thriller it proved to be!
Park won the toss and chose to field. Oxton made an impressive start, reaching 30-0 off the first 10 overs.
Captain Naela Ahmad gave every bowler an opportunity, but it was Salma who provided the breakthrough.
In her first over, the right-arm Worcestershire spinner had two catches dropped off her bowling. However, she persisted and claimed a caught and bowled to leave Oxton one down.
There was more rotation, but when Salma came back she claimed her second wicket - clean bowling the home batsman.
Young Megan Roberts then took two great wickets in one over in the space of three balls. Anisha Bi, Salma's younger sister who bowls pace, also hit the stumps and ended with 1-14 off 4 overs.
Youngster Sammi Short took a nice bowled wicket too.
Back came Salma for the 25th & 27th overs and she scooped three bowled wickets to finish with best career figures of 5-10 off four overs.
The final wicket deservedly fell to captain Naela as Oxton finished on 95 all out off 28.2 overs.
Hawarden went into bat but they lost a wicket off the first delivery of the innings.
A slight hiccup, but Gill Short and Georgia Lee steadied things, however 16-1 off 10 overs was behind the run rate chasing 95.
Another wicket fell and Salma advanced to the crease. She struck her first ball for four and faced four more deliveries, getting to 10 runs before she was bowled by one which kept low.
Another two wickets fell straight after and now Gill retiring left Naela and young Sammi in the middle.
From the word go Naela struck with confidence. Dominating the strike she brought the score to 67-5 off 20 overs and it was getting more nerve racking!
Once Hawarden got into the 80s things looked easier but the overs got less.
After 29.2 over Park were 95-6 with one needed for victory and four balls left. Could the win be achieved?
Naela had the answer. A big hit and victory was secured on 98-6!
Naela produced the innings of her life, finishing 48 not out and hitting her first career six.
Salma said: "I never wanted to win a game this bad and can't thank all the Welsh girls enough for their hospitality.
"Today I was given the chance to play for another two teams but I'm glad I picked where my heart was set because it paid off. Worth The Journey xxxx"