After the success of the Women’s T20 Challenge that was held in Sharjah between November 4 and November 9, the T20 fever has moved to Pakistan, as the three teams are locking horns against each other in the ongoing National Triangular Women’s T20 Championship. The three teams playing are PCB Challengers, PCB Blasters, and PCB Dynamites. The 10-day tournament started on November 22 and the final will be played on December 1.
So, what is special about this National Triangular Women’s T20 Championship? In this tournament, it is for the very first time that a Pakistani female cricket referee will be officiating the matches. Saman Zulfiqar is Pakistan’s first and only female cricket match referee.
The Sheikhupura-born official was the only female match referee in Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) development panel for the domestic cricket season 2020-21. Satisfied with her assignments, Saman said, “I am very happy to supervise the matches. I was so proud when PCB selected me in the panel but now that I have started working, I consider it a huge honour.”
The newly appointed official is very keen to learn new things and gain as much experience as possible. She appreciated PCB’s effort in supporting her and urged women to join the field.
“My message for girls is to pursue this field. PCB has provided me with a good platform. The girls should also consider umpiring as a field,” she added.
I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.