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Kota Kinabalu: Suabika Manivannan (pic) has created history by becoming the first woman cricketer from Sabah to make the national senior squad.

The 17-year-old former SMK Desa Kencana Lahad Datu student, now studying at Bukit Jalil Sports School, is one of the 15 players named to play for the country in the ACC (Asian Cricket Council) Women’s Asia Cup in Sri Lanka to be held in late July. 

Sabah Cricket Association honourable secretary Hatta Patombongi said in a statement released on Wednesday that they are very proud of Suabika for the call-up.

He said her inclusion in the senior squad indicated her immense natural talent in the sport as she only picked up a cricket bat three years ago after being spotted by high performance coach Haerul Marsudin during the talent identification programme in Lahad Datu.

“It has been a meteoric rise for her as she was first called up for the Malaysia Under-19 team after playing for Sabah in the Women’s Under-19 and Senior Interstate Championship last year.

“I believe it was her all round performance in bowling and batting that had impressed the selection board, and congratulations to her,” he said.