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 ✍️
Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first in the first ODI in Rawalpindi. This will be Sri Lanka’s first bilateral series in Pakistan since 2019, with Pakistan holding an 18-12 win-loss record on home soil.
Charith Asalanka the possibility of dew later on was a driving factor in his decision to bowl first, while Shaheen Shah Afridi said he would also liked to have bowled first adding that he’s expecting a high-scoring game.
In team news, one change for the hosts from the side that won their last ODI against South Africa, with Abrar Ahmed missing out due to illness and Naseem Shah replacing him. Sri Lanka meanwhile have handed out an ODI debut to Kamil Mishara, while Wanindu Hasaranga also comes in. Making way are Janith Liyanage and the injured Dilshan Madushanka.
As mentioned earlier, the pitch at Rawalpindi is expected to be high-scoring, with chasing sides coming out victorious in the past three games; a score in excess of 300 will likely be needed for the side batting first, particularly with dew expected under lights. The over head conditions are bright and warm.
Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando
Pakistan XI: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayu, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah
(Cricinfo)
Time was when a tour of Pakistan was something cricketers eagerly looked forward to — a chance to criss cross a country where the warmth of its people matched the spice of its biryani and masala chai. Those were days when cities like Multan, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sialkot and Karachi rolled out the red carpet for visiting sides. Not this time. For the three-week assignment, Sri Lanka will shuttle only between Lahore and Rawalpindi, missing out on the rest of that cricket-mad nation.
The first of the three ODIs bowls off today in Rawalpindi, barely half an hour’s drive from the capital, Islamabad. The city will also host Sri Lanka’s curtain-raiser in the tri-nation series involving Zimbabwe before the caravan moves to Lahore for the remaining fixtures.
The series is no dead rubber. Both teams have plenty riding on it. Sri Lanka sit pretty at number four in the ICC ODI rankings — a hard-earned position after series triumphs over India and Australia — but any slip-up could see them tumble to fifth, with Pakistan ready to leapfrog them.
Pakistan arrive in buoyant mood, having recently downed South Africa 2-1 in their backyard. Their trump card remains leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed, whose whirring wrist-spin tormented the Lankans during the recent Asia Cup in the UAE. Add to that a fiery pace attack led by skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi and the irrepressible Naseem Shah with the new ball, and the hosts have enough firepower to rattle even the best.
Pakistan’s ‘three-captain’ experiment continues, with Shaheen donning the ODI armband this time. On their day, his seamers can make the white ball talk and if early breakthroughs come, they’ll have the visitors on the back foot before drinks.
Sri Lanka, though, have found their sweet spot in the 50-over game. Pathum Nissanka’s counter-punching at the top of the order has given them the perfect launchpad, while his chemistry with Kusal Mendis has blossomed into the opening pair the island had long yearned for. Captain Charith Asalanka — cool under pressure and clever in the middle overs — has been the glue in the batting line-up, sitting a proud seventh in the global batting charts.
All eyes will also be on young Pavan Rathnayake, prolific in domestic cricket and itching to make his international debut. His inclusion adds fresh legs and youthful verve to a side already brimming with confidence.
In the bowling department, Sri Lanka have been dealt a late blow with left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka pulling out due to a knee injury. Eshan Malinga has been drafted in as replacement.
Pakistan (from): Shaheen Shah Afridi (C), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha.
Sri Lanka (from): Charith Asalanka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Pramod Madushan and Eshan Malinga.
The qualifying rounds of the SLTA Yeti Hard Court Tennis Championships 2025, organised by the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) commenced over the weekend. The tournament held across three venues, namely, the Sri Lanka Tennis Association, Gymkhana Club and Ladies’ College will go on till November 23.
This annual event attracts over 900 entries from all corners of the nation, reflecting the growing passion and skill for tennis among Sri Lankan athletes.
The competition will be held on nine hard courts, comprising five courts at the SLTA, two courts at the Ladies’ College and two courts at the Gymkhana Club, ensuring a high-quality environment for players and spectators alike.
The SLTA Yeti Hard Court Tennis Championships will feature a comprehensive range of competitive categories, from Under-12 to Men’s and Women’s events, making it one of the most inclusive tournaments in the country.
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