PCB Responds to Sana Mir’s Statements, Clarifies Tournament Schedule

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has addressed a recent social media post by former women’s cricket captain Sana Mir, asserting that her comments contained inaccuracies. The board advised her to confirm details before sharing public statements.

Sana Mir had used social media platform ‘X’ to express worries about the timing of the domestic 50-over competition in relation to Pakistan’s preparations for the World Cup.

Mir’s Concerns

Mir’s post questioned the point of holding a 50-over National Championship after the World Cup, with only three ODIs scheduled beforehand. She emphasized the importance of constructive criticism for national improvement over praising inefficiency.

A senior official from the PCB Women’s Wing explained that the National Women’s One-Day Tournament, featured in the newly announced 2025-26 domestic schedule, marks the beginning of a fresh season for Pakistani women cricketers.

The official clarified that the previous one-day cycle will conclude with the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, planned to be hosted in India and Sri Lanka.

Addressing Mir’s concerns about a supposedly rushed one-day domestic tournament within an already full schedule, the PCB underscored its dedication to the players’ physical and mental health.

PCB’s Stance on Player Wellbeing

The official detailed a comprehensive program from July 7 to November 2, 2025, for the national women’s team. This includes two training camps (in Karachi and Lahore), an away T20I series, a home ODI series, and participation in the ICC Women’s World Cup, which involves seven league matches before the knockout rounds.

The PCB also disputed Sana Mir’s suggestion that the domestic 50-over tournament would overlap with the ODI World Cup.

“This is incorrect,” the PCB official stated. “The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup is scheduled from September 30 to November 2, 2025.

The National Women’s One-Day Tournament will take place in Karachi from November 10 to 23, with preparations commencing on November 6—after the World Cup has ended.”

Regarding the World Cup preparations, the PCB mentioned the launch of a 25-day skills and fitness camp in Karachi, incorporating multiple 50-over practice matches.

The emphasis on ODI cricket will be further enhanced following the team’s return from Ireland on August 12 after a T20I series, as they gear up for the South Africa ODI series that starts on August 25 in Lahore.

From August 25 to September 28, 2025, the women’s ODI squad will undergo intense preparation, featuring three home ODIs and two warm-up matches against Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka ‘A’ in Colombo, aimed at refining their 50-over skills before the World Cup.

The cricket board further highlighted Pakistan’s undefeated run in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier, held in April, and the subsequent participation of all players in the National Women’s T20 Tournament in Karachi in May.