In an encouraging move, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Tuesday reached an agreement with Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women’s University in Peshawar to promote women’s cricket.

Under the leadership of PCB Management Committee Chairman Zaka Ashraf, the PCB has initiated efforts to nurture women cricketers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), aiming to tap into talent and foster cricket in the region.

This move seeks to expand cricket across the province, providing enhanced opportunities for women in KP.

“PCB takes initiative to develop women cricketers in KP and get the talent. I am encouraging cricket in KP and spread it across the province in order to give opportunities to women in the province,” Zaka Ashraf said.

As per the agreement, the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women’s University, Peshawar, will lease its cricket ground to the PCB. This collaboration aims to establish a new cricket academy dedicated to advancing women’s cricket.

The objective of this collaboration is to provide facilities and services to aspiring female cricketers, enabling access from hostel facilities at the university to the cricket ground in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Head of Women’s Cricket, Tania Mallick said: “This exciting partnership with Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women’s University, Peshawar is in line with the PCB’s vision of fostering the growth of women’s cricket. The academy will serve as a centre for skill development as we are committed to seeing women’s cricket thrive in the region.”

Professor Dr Safia Ahmed, the Vice-Chancellor of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, also welcomed this initiative, expressing hope for collaborative work with the PCB to enhance women’s cricket.