Cricket has been one of the worst affected sports in these times. As the pandemic spread out, all outdoor sporting events were called off and cricket matches were no different. As the virus continues to wreak havoc on the global community, people have matured themselves and are working ways to get life back on track.
The normal, however, has been defined in a new definition. English soil has shown the way to the cricketing world. England has successfully hosted the Windies, Pakistan, and Australian men’s team. Other countries have seen complete T20 franchise tournaments being played in their backyards. The biggest of these examples have to be Afghanistan and Windies. There is, however, another aspect to the story that seems simple and straight at the start. While things may appear good on the surface, a mere unpacking shows us the other side.
With every disaster, the most affected group are the ones equipped with the least resources. In cricket, there is no doubt regarding the fact that women are no way closer to men in any paycheck. Men’s Cricket has matured over a matter of decades and has rightfully deserved billions of viewers. The still-growing game of women’s cricket has suffered significantly in this lockdown.
In a lot of Women’s Cricket, there are teams that have suffered more than others. Bangladesh and Srilanka are the teams that rarely surfaced in the media headlines in the last 4-5 months.
There needs to be a significant light on these nations as the near future of the women cricketers from these countries is uncertain, to say the least. Sri Lanka has been witnessing a mess in their cricketing circle with the ministry raising questions on the safety with regards to the tour of Bangladesh men.
Both the countries are, however, yet to announce a concrete roadmap on how they plan to get women’s cricket back on board. The Indian subcontinent has been better in this regard as PCB, as reported by us, has been forefront in providing the players will ample resources. The biggest source of betterment, from the Pakistani Cricket Board, has been the new changes in contracts.
India, on the other hand, is taking its women to UAE for the Women’s IPL. Other smaller teams have also been active in facilitating women’s game. It is interesting to note that the first two teams to play International cricket in women’s cricket were lesser-known European countries.
The condition or rather the plight of the Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan women cricketers call for the attention of the globe. The boards and administrators shall, on the other hand, lay a plan of action for what they intend to do with the game in the future.
The future of the players and other actors who depend on the game cannot and should not be left in the dark amidst uncertainties.
A student who enjoys studying cricket more than anything else, keen to learn the insights of the women’s game.
