LAHORE: The National Women’s T20 Tournament 2024, featuring six regional teams – Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta, and Rawalpindi, is scheduled to kick off on Monday, January 15, Pakistan Cricket Borad (PCB) said on Saturday.
The tournament will span 17 days with each team playing 10 matches, the PCB statement said. The top two teams will compete for the championship on January 31, with the final venue yet to be disclosed, PCB maintained.
The double round-robin matches are slated to take place at Rawalpindi’s Ayub Park Ground, Islamabad’s Diamond Cricket Ground, and Shoaib Akhtar Stadium. The tournament holds significant importance as players aim to secure spots in the national team, especially with Pakistan Women participating in a busy international schedule, including eight T20Is against West Indies and England, in addition to the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup and ICC Women’s T20 World Cup later in the year.
🚨 Squads announced for National Women's T20 Tournament set to commence on 15 January 🏏
Which team are you backing to win the tournament❓
More details ➡️ https://t.co/fesitlEK7k#NWT20 | #BackOurGirls pic.twitter.com/4bQUM3AoZU
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 12, 2024
The winning team stands to receive Rs1 million, with Rs0.5 million awarded to the runners-up. Additionally, the player of the tournament will be granted Rs50,000, while the player of the match in each game will receive Rs20,000. Outstanding performers in various categories, such as best batter, best bowler, and best wicket-keeper, will be rewarded with Rs25,000 each.
The national women’s selection committee, led by former Test cricketer Saleem Jaffar, has finalized the squads, consisting of 16 players each, along with the team management for all participating teams.
Furthermore, the PCB is set to conduct a four-day female umpires’ induction course at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, starting from today. Aspiring candidates, who applied in December 2023, will undergo a three-day basic training course, followed by a written test, fitness test, and interviews on the fourth day. Successful candidates will be inducted into the PCB Female Panel of Umpires, allowing them to officiate Regional, District and Club level matches in the upcoming domestic cricket season. The course will be instructed by Ahsan Raza, a member of ICC’s Elite panel of Umpires, and PCB’s International Umpire Asif Yaqoob.
