Tania Mallick disappointed after PCB fails to keep women's T20 league commitment

The PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) has gone back on a commitment that the board made around three years ago about launching a women’s T20 league. To make matters worse, the board has also stopped exhibition matches on the eve of the start of the ninth season of the PSL (Pakistan Super League).

It is worth noting that in 2023, three exhibition matches were held featuring players from countries including South Africa, England, and New Zealand, but they are not on the agenda in 2024.

Speaking of the same, head of the PCB women's wing, Tania Mallick, opined that the management committee led by Zaka Ashraf did not want to fund a women’s T20 league.

"The impression I got was they did not feel they were in a position to make such big financial decisions. What was conveyed to us was the next committee and administration would do this, 'we don't want to'. The obstacle is not within our management or the financial officers within the PCB. It was the interim management committee that was not willing to commit,” Mallick told ESPNcricinfo.

“I don't feel frustrated with my management because they all agree [we need a league]. Even the PSL department, we had planned everything but it was taken off the board at the last minute. This was towards the tail-end of the Zaka regime. It was quite disappointing for all of us and I told the girls that repeatedly,” she added.

Hopefully we can plan for a longer period: Mallick 

Furthermore, Mallick also talked about how she is positive for a better future for women’s cricket in Pakistan. After Mohsin Naqvi was elected as PCB chairman on a three-year term earlier this week, Mallick opined that they will be able to plan for a longer period. 

"With the new chairman coming in hopefully we can plan for a longer period, Higher management have told us repeatedly that it's not that we are not supporting it, we definitely support it but as soon as we have firmer footing, it will be in place,” Mallick said.