Last month, Pakistan bowed out of the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 after losing to Sri Lanka in the semifinal of the tournament.

Overall, the performance of the Pakistan women’s cricket team has been subpar.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has historically not provided the same level of resources, funding, and institutional support for the women’s national team as it has for the men’s team. This includes inadequate training facilities, coaching, and exposure to high-level international competition.

The Pakistan women’s team has struggled to string together consistent performances at the international level. Inconsistent team selections, frequent coaching changes, and lack of stability have contributed to their inability to establish a core group of competent and experienced players.

The underperformance of the Pakistan women’s cricket team on the international stage is a multifaceted issue that requires a holistic approach to address. Improving infrastructure, breaking down societal barriers, providing professional opportunities, and ensuring consistent governance and support are essential steps in this direction.

With the right investments and cultural shift, Pakistan has the potential to develop a competitive women’s cricket team that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world. However, it will require a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including the PCB, the government, and society at large, to create an environment where women’s cricket can thrive.

From 1997 to 2022, Pakistan women cricket team played 30 matches in the ODI World Cup, won only 3 and lost 27.

In the T20 World Cups, Pakistan women team played 29 matches, won only 7 matches while they lost 21 games.

They have a better record in the T20 Asia Cup matches. They played 27 games out of which they have won 17 and lost 10.

Overall, Pakistan women cricket team played 203 One-day Internationals, won 59 and lost 138 matches.

In Twenty20 Internationals, out of 168 matches, the Greenshirts won 66 games and lost 95 matches so far.

The performance of Pakistan’s women’s cricket team on the international stage has been a topic of concern and analysis for many cricket enthusiasts and analysts. Despite occasional flashes of brilliance, the team has consistently struggled to meet the standards set by their counterparts in other leading cricket nations.

One of the primary reasons for the Pakistan women’s cricket team’s struggles is the lack of adequate infrastructure and facilities. While cricket is the most popular sport in Pakistan, the focus and resources are disproportionately allocated to the men’s team.

This results in limited access to quality training facilities, equipment, and coaching for the women’s team. The absence of dedicated cricket academies and proper grounds hampers the development of players from a young age, putting them at a disadvantage compared to their international peers.

Societal barriers and cultural challenges also play a significant role in the underperformance of the Pakistan women’s cricket team. In many parts of Pakistan, conservative societal norms restrict women’s participation in sports.

There is often a lack of encouragement from families and communities, and female athletes frequently face social stigma and resistance.

The lack of professional opportunities and financial incentives further exacerbates the challenges faced by the Pakistan women’s cricket team. This lack of financial stability forces many talented players to abandon their cricketing careers in favour of more stable and lucrative professions. The absence of a robust domestic cricket structure also means fewer opportunities for players to gain competitive experience.

Inconsistent governance and support from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have also hindered the progress of women’s cricket in the country. While there have been efforts to promote and develop women’s cricket, these initiatives have often been sporadic and lacking in long-term vision.

The PCB’s commitment to women’s cricket has been questioned at times, with limited investments in grassroots development, coaching, and player welfare. Without sustained and consistent support from the governing body, it is challenging for the team to build a strong foundation and compete at the highest level.

Countries like Australia, England, and India have invested heavily in their women’s teams, providing state-of-the-art facilities, professional contracts, and comprehensive domestic leagues. These investments have translated into improved performances and greater competitiveness on the international stage. For Pakistan to bridge the gap, a similar level of commitment and investment is required.

Pakistan women cricket team made its One-day International debut in 1997, but never qualified for the World Cup semi-finals.

In the first World Cup appearance in 1997 in India, the team lost all the matches and finished 11th.

The girls tasted their first win in the 2009 World Cup when they beat Sri Lanka by 57 runs. They qualified for the 5th place playoff match defeating West Indies in the Super Sixes by four wickets, but finished 6th as they lost the game by three wickets against the same opponents.

Pakistan women cricket team didn’t qualify for 2000 and 2005 World Cups. In 2009 it finished 6th and 8th in the 2013 World Cup where it failed to win any game.

In T20 Internationals, Pakistan women’s performance has been better, which shows that they haven’t been able to establish themselves as a formidable unit when it comes to 50-overs games. The level of their fitness in ODIs doesn’t match that of the other sides.

They lag behind in all departments and need a change of management if they are to challenge other teams in major tournaments. Individual performances should be converted into team efforts, which can help them in developing a winning mentality.

The Green-shirts have failed to win a single match against top three teams: England, Australia, and New Zealand in 28 ODIs. Even with other teams their record is not so impressive.

PCB should take women cricket seriously, start a young cricketers hunting programme, and provide good facilities and infrastructure to develop the skills of women cricketers.

khurrams87@yahoo.com