Pakistan women’s cricket is at a moment of quiet recalibration, balancing ambition with structure and long-term planning. From grassroots expansion to high-performance reforms, the PCB’s women’s wing is attempting to widen its base while sharpening its elite edge.

In an exclusive interview with Daily Sun’s Zaigum Azam, PCB Director and Women's wing Chairman Rafia Haider spoke about the real state of the game in Pakistan, pathway challenges, league ambitions, leadership transitions and why patience, not shortcuts, is central to their vision.

Daily Sun: What’s the real state of Pakistan women’s cricket today? 

Rafia Haider: We are taking different initiatives to develop women’s cricket in Pakistan. Recently we have dedicated the High-Performance Centre in Karachi for our Women's Cricket, where they attend their camps and train round the year. Women's U19 team was given separate team management and that HPC facility, where they prepared for the Bangladesh tour and we have seen good results right away. Separate team managements have been given to the national team and U19 or emerging teams for focused player development. Now we are eyeing to have school cricket for girls. It will help us develop a vaster pipeline for women's cricket which we feel is essential to develop the growth of women’s cricket in the country. 

Daily Sun: What’s the biggest structural flaw holding back Pakistan’s women’s programme?

Rafia: I won’t say there are flaws rather I would say we have challenges and we are ready to face those challenges. For us taking women cricket to grass root level is the biggest challenge and we are making plans to overcome those challenges through school and U15 tournaments planned in future. 

Daily Sun: Why has Pakistan still not launched a full women’s T20 league? What’s the true barrier?

Rafia: It is under discussion but not finalized as yet. Of course, it is going to be a huge move whenever it happens so we'll take everyone on board and do our homework properly before its fruition. 

Daily Sun: So, the PSL teams will take part in women’s T20 tournament? 

Rafia: As above. It is still under discussion.

Daily Sun: Are Pakistan’s pathways producing enough players, or are we relying on the same talent pool every cycle?

Rafia: We are trying to establish the pathway that would help us have a strong pipeline as we feel if we can nurture these Under-19 cricketers, they will go a long way but our biggest challenge is to have the right pathway so that we are producing cricketers to fill the void from national level to age-level.

We have regularised domestic tournaments for U19 and senior or emerging side and now focusing on u15 and u23 tournaments to keep players engaged. 

Daily Sun: Do you feel women’s cricket is treated as essential or optional within the PCB?

Rafia: Our management is supporting us fully and we are getting whatever is required so we can certainly say women’s cricket is an integral part of PCB. The commitment and support by the Board is commendable and we have made great strides in past two years under current management. More importantly people are embracing women’s cricket like nowadays parents bring their daughters to learn cricket and it indicates we are culturally also embracing women’s cricket. 

Daily Sun: How do you evaluate Pakistan performance in the World Cup?

Rafia: Although we failed to earn success, we came quite close against some of the big teams and couple of matches were abandoned so we cannot say we have failed in the World Cup. What we feel is that now we need to develop for high pressure or high stakes environment and be consistent because this is one area probably we are lacking behind and we are working on to make sure we have a fitter unit in the coming days. The World Cup result does not show our true potential considering in 2025 we played 15 matches winning six matches with three being washed out. 

Daily Sun: Former Test batter Mohammad Wasim’s contract was not renewed as the head coach. Who is going to be the new coach – Bismah Maruf or Wahab Riaz?

Rafia: The name for head coach will be finalised soon.

Daily Sun: How do you rate Fatima Sana as captain? She replaced Sana Mir did she matched your expectation?

Rafia: Fatima is good leader and we are happy with her performance as a captain. She has the right qualities to be a good captain and we will continue to support her.