Pakistani players pose for autograph after winning the match against Thailand and qualifying for ICC Women’s World Cup, at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan. Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudhary), AP News.
When Pakistan’s women’s cricket team first emerged on the international scene in the late 1990s, it was met with widespread skepticism, resistance, and even hostility. In a society where traditional gender roles were heavily practiced, the idea of women sporting cricket uniforms and competing internationally was seen by many as inappropriate, even outrageous. The team’s early pioneers, particularly sisters Shaiza and Sharmeen Khan, faced not just logistical and financial barriers but societal condemnation and legal threats as well. In fact, their first international tour in 1997 came under intense scrutiny, with conservative factions arguing that it went against Islamic values and Pakistani culture. Matches were sometimes played in secret, or without the presence of crowds, out of fear for the players’ safety.
The early perception of women’s cricket in Pakistan was thus colored by a mixture of patriarchal norms and the politicization of women’s roles in society. Female cricketers were rarely mentioned in mainstream media except when controversies arose, and there was little to no institutional support. Most players came from privileged backgrounds because the infrastructure and social backing required to participate in sports were inaccessible to working-class women. The public, by and large, either ignored or ridiculed their efforts.
However, over the past two decades, public perception has considerably evolved. Several factors contributed to this shift. The increased visibility of global women’s sports helped legitimize female athleticism. The team’s steady participation in international tournaments, such as the ICC Women’s World Cup and T20 World Cup, brought recognition and respect. Media coverage expanded, especially with the rise of social media, allowing players to connect directly with audiences and share their stories.
Players like Sana Mir, Bismah Maroof, and Nida Dar became national icons, not just for their performance on the field but for challenging stereotypes off it. Sana Mir, in particular, stood out as a trailblazer. Under her leadership, the team achieved some of its most notable victories, including gold medals at the Asian Games in 2010 and 2014. She also became a vocal advocate for women’s empowerment and gender equality, using her platform to call for increased investment in women’s sports.
In more recent years, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken steps to support the women’s team more robustly, offering contracts, training camps, and better facilities. The public has also shown growing support, with more fans attending matches, engaging on social platforms, and recognizing women cricketers as legitimate representatives of the nation. While challenges like pay disparity, limited domestic infrastructure, and ongoing societal pressures remain, the cultural conversation surrounding women’s cricket has shifted from skepticism to celebration.
Today, the Pakistan women’s cricket team stands not just as a sporting outfit but as a symbol of resilience and transformation. Its journey reflects a broader narrative of change in Pakistan, where women continue to assert their place in spaces once deemed inaccessible. Their legacy is one of courage, perseverance, and the quiet power of challenging norms, one match at a time.
By Sara Zahoor
Sara Zahoor is a current undergraduate student at Trinity College, pursuing a B.A. in Public Policy & Law with a concentration in Policy Analysis. She can be contacted at @ssarazahoor@gmail.com.
Here at Women Living Under Muslim Law, we believe it’s not only important, but vital to acknowledge and share the achievements of women. To claim their equal citizenship, as well as the right to both shape and reshape cultural settings that have historically excluded women, much to the detriment of national and global prosperity.