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Pakistan women’s team captain Fatima Sana has called on Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi to introduce a long-awaited women’s franchise league, terming it a crucial step for the development of the game in the country.
Speaking to the media, the 24-year-old all-rounder stressed that the absence of a domestic franchise structure has limited exposure for women cricketers, both locally and internationally.
With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, she believes the timing is ideal to invest in the future of the women’s game.
“We have long been awaiting the Pakistan Women’s Cricket League,” Fatima said.
“I would request PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi to launch our league. It will attract foreign players to Pakistan, while our players will also get opportunities abroad. This will greatly benefit women’s cricket.”
Fatima also pointed to the global landscape, where leading cricketing nations have already established successful women’s franchise tournaments.
India’s Women’s Premier League (WPL), launched in 2023, has quickly emerged as one of the fastest-growing leagues in the sport, drawing top international talent and significant commercial interest.
Similarly, Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), which began in 2015, remains the longest-running women’s franchise competition, while England’s The Hundred has also played a key role in promoting women’s cricket since its introduction in 2021.
The Pakistan skipper underlined that the success of these leagues is closely tied to the rise of their respective national teams, reinforcing her argument that a similar structure is now essential for Pakistan to keep pace with the global game.
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