Ramazan cricket fever: Women shine in night tournament

During the holy month of Ramazan, the tradition of playing cricket after iftar becomes increasingly popular across Pakistan. In Karachi, where young people are often seen playing tape-ball cricket late into the night, women are now increasingly becoming part of this growing trend.

A women's tape-ball night cricket tournament held at Hanif Mohammad Cricket Ground in Bahadurabad brought together female players who not only participated enthusiastically but also delivered thrilling contests that kept spectators engaged.

In the final, Malir Women Markhor Cricket Club defeated Athletic Cricket Club by four runs in a closely fought match to claim the title. The game remained tense until the final overs, with both teams competing fiercely.

Around 150 female players took part in the event. The matches, played during Ramazan nights, also attracted a large number of family members who came to support the players and enjoy the lively atmosphere.

According to the tournament organiser, Hadeel Ubaid Chanaye, the aim of the event is to provide women with a safe and positive environment to play cricket. She said that requests from female players in other cities have also been received and there are plans to consider organising an All-Pakistan Women's Tape-Ball League in the future.

Women cricketers participating in the tournament said they look forward to the event throughout the year as it provides them not only an opportunity to play but also to learn and showcase their skills.

The winning team received a prize of Rs150,000, while the runners-up were awarded Rs75,000. Players and organisers say such events can play an important role in expanding sporting opportunities for women.

The Karachi women's cricket activity appropriately comes at a time when the International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced its first-ever ICC Women's Cricket Week, a global celebration of women's cricket set to run from 16 to 22 October, aligning with the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025.

This innovative initiative is designed to unite the global cricket community around an ICC women's World Cup, showcasing and supporting the growth of women's cricket and encouraging national governing bodies to participate in meaningful and locally relevant ways.

The ICC Women's Cricket Week will be an annual event, beginning this year during the World Cup in India, with a vision to significantly enhance the visibility, profile, and participation of women in cricket worldwide.

The ICC said: "This year has already marked a turning point for women's cricket, with record-breaking crowds, landmark performances, and an unmistakable sense of momentum building around the game.

"The launch of the ICC Women's Cricket Week is another proud milestone, a celebration not just of the players on the world stage, but of every girl picking up a bat or ball, dreaming of what's possible. It gives our Members, from Full to Associate, a meaningful opportunity to participate in the global narrative and shape the future of the women's game in their own communities."

The initiative, which was endorsed by both the ICC Women's Cricket Committee and the ICC Chief Executives' Committee earlier this year, supports key strategic objectives under the ICC Women's Cricket Strategy, particularly the pillars of Profile and Participation. It also advances the goals of the ICC 100% Cricket programme, aimed at elevating women's cricket and women in the sport.