Sports
Women’s cricket steps out of shadows to become game’s next blockbuster
Not many realise that cricket’s inaugural Women’s World Cup actually preceded the men’s event. The women took the field for their first World Cup in 1973, two years before Clive Lloyd’s West Indians lifted the men’s crown. From moving away from underarm bowling to embracing professionalism, the women have often been trailblazers of our great game.
For far too long, women’s cricket was left sitting in the pavilion while the men played on, short on attention, recognition and finances. But the ongoing Women’s World Cup in India and Sri Lanka shows that the tide has turned. The women’s game is fast becoming cricket’s next big ticket.
Kerry Packer revolutionised the sport in 1977 and T20 cricket did the same decades later. If Packer brought colour to the game, T20 brought fortune, raising pay packets twenty-fold. Now, women’s cricket is having its own watershed moment. Recognition, respect and rewards are finally flowing in, creating more jobs and opportunities around the game.
Cricket’s administrators, having read the pitch perfectly, have boosted prize money significantly. Teams in this year’s Women’s World Cup are earning four times more than in the previous edition. The men’s 2023 World Cup had a prize pool of USD 10 million, while the ongoing women’s event has already touched nearly USD 14 million, a massive leap forward.
With every match televised and accessible via the newly launched ICC TV platform, fans can now stream games from anywhere, on screens big or small. That visibility is worth its weight in gold and will not just grow women’s cricket but the sport as a whole.
A few years ago, some boards had the foresight to introduce equal match fees for men and women, a bold step towards levelling the playing field. Now, with parity in pay and exposure, participation is bound to skyrocket.
Once upon a time, women’s cricket was confined mostly to World Cups or the odd Ashes series between England and Australia. But the game has spread its wings. The ICC now promotes more bilateral tours and women’s teams are constantly on the road. Just last month, Sri Lanka hosted the Australian Under-19 women in Dambulla, a sign of healthy expansion.
India’s surge has been a major catalyst. The Women’s Premier League, the female version of the IPL, has captured the imagination with its mix of colour, competition and glamour. Once more franchises join the fold, it’ll be another game changer.
Many in Sri Lanka may quietly wish India stumble, but there’s no denying that India’s robust system, deep pockets and relentless drive have made them a powerhouse. Should they lift this World Cup, or any global crown in coming years, the ripple effect will be enormous. Already, Indian women cricketers are gracing billboards and television commercials. Most players are already household names. A world title could do much more.
Women’s sport, from basketball to volleyball, has long been thriving globally and cricket has finally caught up. India’s record crowds are proof of the growing appetite, though Sri Lanka still has some catching up to do. Attendance at the R. Premadasa Stadium has been underwhelming so far, but if Chamari Atapattu’s side can pull off a win or two on home turf, the stands will surely fill.
In the past two years, Sri Lanka’s women have punched above their weight with giant-killing performances. Expect them to play fearless cricket and give this campaign a real shake.
by Rex Clementine ✍️
Oman have suffered three heavy defeats to Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and Ireland at the 2026 T20 World Cup, and had been thumped by Australia the only other time these two teams met, at the 2024 edition. But captain Jatinder Singh says his team sees their final match of this tournament as an opportunity to surprise a wounded Australia team.
Australia have nothing to gain from the match against Oman in Pallekele on Friday, aside from preserving some pride. Perhaps the gloom around the Australia camp will give Oman an opening. In fact it might be “the best time to crush them”.
“One hundred percent this is an opportunity,” Jatinder said. “And our boys are looking forward to it. Because T20 is a game of momentum and the moments, and if you play those moments right, you can do anything on that particular day. Australia is not doing well at the moment… it is the best time to crush them.
“The boys are really positive. They are looking forward to the match against Australia to make their mark.”
On how to make Oman more competitive in the long term, Jatinder believed franchise cricket opportunities for Oman players could be one route. Oman did not have a heavy cricket schedule in 2025, playing only 15 T20Is that year in addition to eight ODIs.
“Well if I have to sum up how Oman can improve, it would be if we have the franchise cricket happening in the country or our guys get a chance to play franchise cricket elsewhere,” Jatinder said. “I think we can fill that gap and they can bring vast amount of experience for our national team.
“But if we don’t get to play competitive cricket, whereas other teams are getting to play the competitive cricket, we will need to fill that gap. There have been instances where we’ve been inviting the teams to come and play in Oman. The response has been really delayed, or we don’t get any response. So I think if we have the franchise cricket, that would really fill the gap.”
[Cricinfo]
Oman made a couple of changes in the last two fixtures without success. Shakeel Ahmed went in and out of the side in the three games, but picked three wickets against Ireland and should keep his place. Jatinder might look at giving top-order batter Karan Sonavale another go.
[Cricbuzz]
Zimbabwe marched into the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup with the swagger of a side that refuses to read the script, completing the group phase unbeaten after a polished six-wicket win over co-hosts Sri Lanka at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium on Thursday.
Ranked 11th in the world, the African side have been the tournament’s disruptors-in-chief. Having already sent former champions Australia packing last week, they now added 2014 winners Sri Lanka to their growing list of scalps, underlining that this is no flash in the pan but a team riding a serious wave of momentum.
Chasing 179 on a surface that demanded both muscle and method, Zimbabwe found themselves at crossroads when 65 were needed off the last 36 balls. Enter Sikandar Raza, sleeves rolled up and eyes locked in.
The all-rounder flipped the contest on its head in one decisive over from Dushan Hemantha, plundering 20 runs with two towering sixes and a rasping boundary. In the blink of an eye, the asking rate dipped and Sri Lanka’s shoulders sagged.
Raza and Brian Bennett stitched together a match-defining 69 off 40 deliveries for the third wicket, mixing clean ball-striking with smart running between the wickets. Zimbabwe crossed the line with three balls to spare.
While Raza provided the late fireworks with 45 off 26 balls, peppered with two fours and four sixes, opener Bennett was the glue that held the innings together. His composed 63 off 48 deliveries, studded with eight fours, ensured Zimbabwe never lost sight of the target.
Even when Raza departed with 13 still required from two overs, Sri Lanka sensed a sniff. But Tony Munyonga calmly clubbed Maheesh Theekshana’s first delivery of the final over into the stands, draining the tension from the contest. Fittingly, Bennett sealed the deal with the winning boundary. Raza was named Man of the Match.
It was Zimbabwe’s second-highest successful run chase in T20Is.
Earlier, after opting to bat, Sri Lanka were once again anchored by Pathum Nissanka. Fresh from becoming the tournament’s first centurion earlier in the week, Nissanka produced a polished 62 off 47 balls, bringing up his seventh T20 World Cup half-century, equalling Mahela Jayawardene’s record for the most by a Sri Lankan.
He and Kusal Perera gave the innings early impetus with a brisk 54 off 30 balls for the opening stand before Nissanka added a further 46 in 43 deliveries alongside Kusal Mendis.
Pavan Rathnayake provided the late thrust, clearing the ropes twice in a 44 off 25 balls as Sri Lanka posted a competitive 178.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers, however, ensured it was a chaseable target rather than a daunting one. Veteran leg-spinner Graeme Cremer led the way with 2-27, applying the squeeze in the middle overs, while the towering Blessing Muzarabani struck twice to finish with 2-38.
Sri Lanka now turn their attention to a Super Eight showdown against England in Kandy on Sunday, a contest that promises high stakes and little margin for error. Zimbabwe, brimming with belief, head to Bombay to face the West Indies on Monday, no longer the underdogs but a side that has earned its place at the top table.
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