Multan Sultans’ coaches Hartley, Dalton bat for women’s PSL

Staff Report

 RAWALPINDI: England’s former World Cup winner Alex Hartley and Ireland’s Catherine Dalton have joined voices in advocating for the initiation of a women’s Pakistan Super League (PSL), emphasising the necessity of mainstream visibility and accessibility for women’s cricket. Both the women are currently in Pakistan and are now in command of PSL team Multan Sultans bowling attack with Dalton coaching the fast bowler and Alex Hartley at the helm of spinners coaching. Last year, the PCB organised three exhibition matches for women which was seen as a step towards the start of women’s PSL, however, this year the practice was discontinued. The move to discontinue the women’s games in PSL has received criticism from Alex Hartley, who has represented England’s women’s team in 28 ODI and 4 T20Is. “I think it’s a real shame that the exhibition games haven’t happened this year,” said Hartley while referring to those matches as a step closer to a women’s PSL. “They had those exhibition games, they were a success. And then they almost got forgotten about this year. So, I am really disappointed in that.” Hartley stressed the significance of visibility, stating, “For women to get involved in cricket, they have to see it on the TV, they have to see it on the main stage and see that it’s accessible to all.”

However, she remained hopeful that there will be a women’s PSL at some stage Catherine Dalton, a former cricketer from Ireland, echoed Hartley’s sentiments, expressing her belief in the potential success of a Women’s PSL. “Yeah, I 100% think there should be a women’s PSL,” stated Dalton. “I think it would be massive here. I think the passion for cricket in this country is incredible.” Dalton referenced the success of similar ventures, such as the women’s IPL, and highlighted the positive reception of exhibition games held previously. “I know there were some exhibition games here. I think it was a year or so ago. And they were received brilliantly. So hopefully, we’ll see that in the future, a women’s PSL,” she remarked. Earlier this month, Pakistan women’s team’s former captain Bismah Maroof had also expressed her disappointment at discontinuation of women’s exhibition matches on sidelines of PSL this year.