KARACHI: Pakistan Women's cricket team captain Nida Dar on Friday welcomed the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s announcement of equal prize money for men’s and women’s teams at ICC events.
The decision of equal prize money was taken on Thursday in an ICC meeting in Durban.
In an interview with Geo News, Dar said that she wished to see a time when the salaries of male and female cricketers would be equal salaries.
“We have been waiting for this decision for a long time. To consider men’s and women’s cricket as equal is something that should be appreciated. It is good to know that cricketers are now considered cricketers and not male or female cricketers,” she said.
She also emphasized that when equal facilities are provided to the players, it helps in boosting the morale which improves the performance.
“The salaries of male and female cricketers are equal in many countries. It is our desire that the same happens in Pakistan and [I am hoping] that day is not far enough,” she added.
She said that domestic cricketers are also getting contracts in Pakistan women's cricket and other things are also improving, hopefully, this will just be the start of something greater.
The national all-rounder, who is also known as “Lady Boom Boom” for her playing style, added that the trend of women's cricket in Pakistan is growing, new players are emerging and people are now also interested in women's cricket.
She further stated that commercialisation is necessary for women’s cricket so that female cricketers can also get big sponsors.
Pakistan women’s cricket team will play South Africa women's cricket team in a series of three ODIs and as many T20 international matches in Karachi in August and September. This will be the first visit of the South African women's cricket team to Pakistan.
Faizan Lakhani Faizan Lakhani is Deputy Editor (Sports) at Geo News.