Player Sana Mir gives teammates a pep talk before a World Cup game. The Cricket Monthly
The story of Pakistan’s women cricketers cannot be told through scores and stats alone. Beneath the surface lies a deeper struggle – one that spans cultural expectations, economic hurdles, and political complexities.
Socially, women athletes in Pakistan have long faced skepticism, if not outright hostility. Traditional gender roles often discourage women from participating in public life, especially in something as visible and physically demanding as sports. For many players, just getting to practice is a battle – navigating unsafe public spaces, social stigma, and familial disapproval. In some areas, even wearing athletic attire is controversial. Female players have spoken about harassment, lack of privacy, and being shamed for appearing on television.
Economically, the disparity between male and female cricketers is glaring. While the men’s team enjoys corporate sponsorships, extensive facilities, and high salaries, women often earn significantly less. Until recently, few received central contracts. Many juggle jobs, education, or household responsibilities with training. Equipment, coaching, and travel remain limited in rural areas, which stifles talent development outside urban hubs.
Politically, the women’s team has often been sidelined in national sports conversations. When politics spills into sports, the men’s team receives priority. Government sports initiatives rarely allocate equal funds to women. In the 1990s, the Khan sisters were threatened with arrest under Hudood laws, accused of promoting un-Islamic behavior for playing cricket abroad. Though times have changed, echoes of these sentiments still linger in more conservative circles.
Representation within the sport’s governing structures is also an issue. Few women occupy decision-making roles in the Pakistan Cricket Board, leading to a lack of gender-sensitive policies or long-term vision for the women’s game. The absence of a women’s franchise league equivalent to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) further limits visibility and investment.
Yet, despite these barriers, Pakistan’s women cricketers persist. They serve as role models, not only for aspiring athletes but for all women challenging systemic inequities. Their battles are not just for victories on the field, but for dignity, opportunity, and acceptance.
In every over bowled and every run scored lies a broader statement: that Pakistani women, regardless of opposition, will claim their place, both on the pitch and in society. As the team continues to grow, its story reminds us that sports can be both a game and a revolution.
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.