Women’s Cricket
In a significant development, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Tuesday that it has entered into an agreement with Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women’s University in Peshawar, marking a pivotal step in the promotion of women’s cricket.
Under the guidance of PCB Management Committee Chairman Zaka Ashraf, the board has taken proactive measures to nurture female cricketers in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) region, with the overarching goal of identifying talent and fostering the growth of cricket in the area.
This strategic move is part of a broader initiative to expand the footprint of cricket throughout the province, providing increased opportunities for women in KP to actively participate in the sport. Zaka Ashraf expressed his commitment to developing women cricketers in KP, emphasizing the need to spread the influence of cricket across the province to empower women through the sport.
As outlined in the agreement, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University in Peshawar will lease its cricket ground to the PCB. This collaboration is set to establish a new cricket academy exclusively dedicated to advancing women’s cricket. The primary objective of this joint effort is to offer state-of-the-art facilities and services to aspiring female cricketers. The arrangement includes provisions for hostel facilities at the university, ensuring seamless access for female players from their accommodation to the cricket ground in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Tania Mallick, Head of Women’s Cricket, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women’s University, aligning with the PCB’s overarching vision to foster the growth of women’s cricket. The academy is poised to become a central hub for skill development, underscoring the PCB’s commitment to cultivating a thriving environment for women’s cricket in the region.
Professor Dr Safia Ahmed, the Vice-Chancellor of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, welcomed the collaborative initiative, expressing optimism about the synergistic work with the PCB to enhance cricket in the region. This groundbreaking partnership is anticipated to contribute significantly to the development and empowerment of female cricketers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
