Kinnaird Cup empowers Pakistani girls through sport: Australian HC

LAHORE: The Australian High Commission (AHC), in partnership with Kinnaird College for Women and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), hosted the 6th AHC-Kinnaird Girls’ Cricket Cup, bringing together Pakistani girls from various socio-economic backgrounds to compete, lead, and break barriers through sport.

Australia’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Neil Hawkins, applauded the players’ participation and determination. “Australia believes in the power of sport to transform lives, create opportunities, and bring people together. We are pleased to support Pakistan in championing women’s cricket,” said High Commissioner Hawkins. He emphasised the importance of investing in the future, giving Pakistani girls the chance to compete and strive towards representing their province and country. To prepare for the tournament, players attended an intensive three-day coaching clinic led by Pakistan’s national women’s and U-19 team members.

This initiative aimed to equip the participants with the skills and confidence needed to excel in the competition. Since 2016, Australia’s support for girls’ cricket in Pakistan has expanded from Islamabad to Lahore and Karachi, uncovering new talent along the way. Former participants of the AHC-Kinnaird Cup have gone on to represent Pakistan’s Under-19 national team.

Head of Pakistan Women’s Cricket, Rafia Haider, emphasised the tournament’s importance in shaping future stars. “Tournaments like this help us discover and nurture talent. With the right support, these girls could be the next big names in Pakistani cricket,” Haider stated.

Prof. Dr. Iram Anjum, Principal of Kinnaird College for Women, applauded the efforts and initiative of the Australian High Commission for providing Pakistani girls with diverse backgrounds the opportunity to celebrate diversity and achieve excellence. She highlighted Kinnaird College’s pioneering role in promoting women’s sports, especially cricket, and its significant contribution to national and international teams.

The tournament featured teams representing Government Shuhda-e APS Memorial Girls High School, Government Central Model School, Government Tehzeeb-ul-Binat Model Girls School, Government Yasmeen Islamia Girls High School, Mughalpura, and Kinnaird Cricket Academy. The competition concluded with Kinnaird College for Women emerging victorious against Government Shuhada-e-APS Memorial Girls High School.