Fatima-led Pak set to face S Africa in T20Is

Pakistan women's cricket team, led by Fatima Sana, is ready to face South Africa, captained by Laura Wolvaardt, in a three-match T20I series starting Monday at the picturesque Multan Cricket Stadium.

This marks the first time the stadium will host a T20I series, adding a historic touch to the occasion. The second and third T20Is are scheduled for 18 and 20 September, respectively.

The first two matches will begin at 7:00 PM PST, while the final game will start at 10:00 AM. These matches are crucial for both teams as they prepare for the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup in the UAE next month. South Africa, the runners-up of the previous edition, are visiting Pakistan for the second time in two years, having last played a white-ball series in Karachi in 2022. In that series, Pakistan dominated, securing a clean sweep in the T20I matches.

To attract fans, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced free entry for spectators with valid ID cards. The matches will also be broadcast in high definition on A Sports and streamed live on the PCB's official YouTube channel.

After the series, South Africa will head to the UAE on 21 September, followed by Pakistan on 23 September. Pakistan is grouped with Australia, India, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka in the World Cup, while South Africa will face Bangladesh, England, Scotland, and the West Indies.

Player support personnel:

Hina Munawar (manager), Muhammad Wasim (head coach), Junaid Khan (assistant coach – bowling), Hanif Malik (assistant coach – fielding), Abdur Rehman (spin bowling coach), Imran Khalil (strength and conditioning coach), Farhan Nawaz (media and digital manager), Rabia Siddiq (physiotherapist) and Waleed Ahmed (analyst).

Pakistan Women's T20I Series Schedule:

16 Sep – 1st T20I, Multan Cricket Stadium (7:00 PM start)

18 Sep – 2nd T20I, Multan Cricket Stadium (7:00 PM start)

20 Sep – 3rd T20I, Multan Cricket Stadium (10:00 AM start)

Daily allowances cut for women

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to discontinue daily allowances for women cricketers attending national training camps, a move that has sparked disappointment among the players.

This decision impacts the women's team currently training in Multan for their upcoming home series against South Africa.

A PCB official defended the decision, stating, "The players are not being given daily allowances because the board is now providing them accommodation and three full meals during the day," a PCB official said.

Interestingly, the players of Pakistan's men's team are given the choice of receiving two full meals per day, along with accommodation and a daily allowance.

The timing of this policy shift is being questioned, especially since the PCB is investing heavily in other projects, such as paying 5 million rupees in monthly salaries to mentors for the ongoing Champions Cup in Faisalabad and spending 12.8 billion rupees on renovations for three Test venues ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

A former Pakistan cricketer criticized the board's decision, saying, "What difference of a few lakh rupees will make to the board is anybody's guess, but it has potential to create discontent in women's cricket."

Additionally, the women players are still awaiting their central contracts for the fiscal year, which have been delayed by over a month. Last year, 19 players were awarded contracts, but this year's announcement is yet to come.

Despite the decision, the PCB official mentioned that the women cricketers will receive daily allowances once the series against South Africa begins on September 17, seen as preparation for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in the UAE next month.