Absence of Pakistani Women Cricketers in Inaugural Women's Premier League Auction Disappoints Former Captain
Mumtaz commented that it was unfortunate to see Pakistan players missing out on this opportunity, emphasizing the need for inclusivity and the importance of bridging the gap in quality between cricketing nations.
Former Pakistan captain Urooj Mumtaz expressed disappointment as no Pakistani cricketers were selected for the Women's Premier League (WPL) auction, the first-ever women's cricket league in India. The auction witnessed a lot of excitement, with Indian opener Smriti Mandhana becoming the most expensive player at Rs 3.4 crore. Other international players received a lot of attention in the auction, but Pakistan's cricketers were not included in the auction list.
Mumtaz commented that it was unfortunate to see Pakistan players missing out on this opportunity, emphasizing the need for inclusivity and the importance of bridging the gap in quality between cricketing nations. Pakistani cricketers were expected to play in the inaugural women's T20 league, which was originally scheduled to debut this season but was postponed to September at the earliest after Ramiz Raja was replaced by Najam Sethi as the board's leader.
During a press conference after the Women's T20 World Cup match against India, Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof expressed the team's eagerness to play in any league that provides them with the chance to do so. She stated that Pakistani cricketers do not receive many opportunities to play in leagues, and they would love to play and make the most of any chance they get.
The inaugural edition of WPL is set to take place from March 4 to 26 across two Mumbai venues. The absence of Pakistani cricketers is a missed opportunity for the league to promote inclusivity and diversity in women's cricket. The league will likely benefit from the presence of players from diverse backgrounds and nationalities, which could help in the growth and development of the sport globally.
The lack of representation of Pakistani players in the WPL auction highlights the need for greater inclusion of underrepresented groups in women's cricket. It is essential to provide equal opportunities for women players from all countries, enabling them to showcase their skills on a global stage and promoting the growth and development of women's cricket around the world.
