Pakistan announce Women's T20 League; four-team event to be played in March 2023

According to the release by PCB, the league will be played with a double-round league format at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi. After the completion of the league stages, top two teams will compete in the final a day before the final of the PSL, March 18 next year. The teams will be based in four cities and each team will have 12 local players – including Pakistan internationals – and six overseas stars. PSL is scheduled to be played from February 9 to March 19 and some of the league stages will be double headers with the men’s event.

“I am delighted to announce the women’s league. This league will attract young women cricketers to this great sport and help our current players further enhance their skills when they will get to share dug-outs with the overseas players. The league will feature present and past trailblazers in women’s cricket in what promises to be an exciting 13-match event,” Ramiz Raja, PCB chairman, said in the announcement.

“To amplify the coverage and promotion of this initiative, some of the matches will precede the Pakistan Super League 8 matches.”

ALSO READ: Pakistan let down by strike rate and pace bowling issues as veterans Bismah, Nida impress

Pakistan are currently playing in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup in Bangladesh where they are competing against six others teams for Asian supremacy. The Bismah Maroof-led team won first two of their matches before going down against Thailand on Thursday.

“This event is aligned to our strategy of making Pakistan a stronger cricket playing nation across all formats and genders. We are not only creating attractive brands to strengthen our cricket economy, but through this tournament are also providing career opportunities to our women cricketers. The more our women cricketers will participate in high-pressure events, the more they will learn,” Raja added.

“The PCB is a strong proponent of empowering women to shine brighter. By engaging our women, who form 49 per cent of the country’s population, we will enhance the economic and social prosperity of our country.”

Pakistan will be seen in action during the T20 World Cup 2023 in South Africa from February 9 to 26 just ahead of the proposed inaugural edition of the women’s league.