Pakistan Women's Cricket — Rising Stars, Record Wins and the Road to T20 World Cup 2026
LAHORE — Pakistan women's cricket team has achieved historic milestones in 2025-26, completing a dominant 3-0 ODI series sweep against Zimbabwe in May 2026 and climbing to second position in the ICC Women's Championship 2025-29 standings. The team's rise marks a significant turning point for women's cricket in Pakistan.
Notable individual performances during the Zimbabwe series included Gull Feroza's consecutive centuries, one of which was the fastest ODI century by a Pakistani woman, and a record-breaking opening partnership of 571 runs with Sadaf Shamas across the three matches. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the team on the historic achievement.
ICC Tournament Performance
The women's team had a busy season in ICC events. During the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, Pakistan played their matches in Sri Lanka. While the tournament campaign was challenging, the team showed resilience and gained valuable experience.
Looking ahead, the team is preparing for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held in England from June 12 to July 5. To prepare for this major event, Pakistan will participate in a tri-nation T20 tournament in Ireland, featuring the host nation and the West Indies.
Domestic Structure
- PCB Calendar — The PCB unveiled a comprehensive women's cricket calendar for the 2025-26 season, including domestic tournaments and international series
- Player Development — Investment in grassroots programmes and regional academies has begun producing results, with younger players breaking into the national setup
- Contract System — Improved central contracts for women cricketers have provided financial stability and encouraged more girls to take up the sport
Rising Stars
Gull Feroza has emerged as a standout performer with her record-breaking ODI centuries. Sadaf Shamas has established herself as a reliable opening partner, while the bowling attack has shown consistency across formats. The team's bench strength is improving, with several young players pushing for selection.
Challenges
Despite the progress, women's cricket in Pakistan faces challenges including limited exposure to high-quality international opposition, fewer domestic matches compared to the men's circuit, and the need for better training facilities in smaller cities. The PCB has acknowledged these issues and is working on a long-term development plan.
The Road Ahead
With the T20 World Cup 2026 in England approaching, the Pakistan women's team will aim to build on their recent success. The tri-nation series in Ireland will provide crucial preparation. A strong performance in the T20 World Cup could further boost the sport's profile in Pakistan and inspire the next generation of female cricketers.
