Quetta Gladiators-CM Balochistan Women Cricket Tournament begins

KARACHI: The Quetta Gladiators-Chief Minister Balochistan All Pakistan Women Cricket Tournament 2021 featuring five teams has started at the Bugti Stadium.

The organisers said that the tournament is first of its kind in the region with the best women cricketers from all over Pakistan taking part.

“The event has been possible due to collaboration between PSL franchise Quetta Gladiators and the government of Balochistan,” Gladiators said on Wednesday.

The teams are Balochistan Thunders, Punjab Warriors, Sindh Strikers, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Stars and Gilgit Baltistan Smashers.

The opening ceremony of the competition was attended by Quetta Gladiators owner Nadeem Omar, Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Kamal Khan and other top officials of the province.

The event exploded into action with Nadeem delivering the first ball to the CM.

Nadeem said that the tournament was being staged to improve the image of Quetta and Balochistan and to provide a platform to the young cricketers.

“This is a historic occasion as we have started a women's T20 tournament which will help the women cricketers of Pakistan and will send a positive message from the region,” Nadeem said.

“I am grateful to CM Jam Kamal for this wonderful collaboration as we both share the same ideology of providing opportunities to the athletes of Balochistan,” he added.

Nadeem said Quetta Gladiators would continue to host such events.

The CM said that the event would boost the confidence of the female cricketers and promote the talent of the province.

He said he wished to host Pakistan Super League matches at the Bugti Stadium after the successful hosting of this event.

The CM asked the Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ehsan Mani to get floodlights installed at the Bugti Stadium and improve its infrastructure.

The opening ceremony was attended by Zia Langu, Interior Minister Balochistan, Abdul Khaliq Hazara, Minister Sports, Imran Gichki, Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs, and Director General Sports Balochistan Durra Baloch.