ISLAMABAD: The ‘PCB-AHC Girls Cup 2016’ brought together teams from four underprivileged schools whose students enjoyed cricket with full enthusiasm.

The girl students of Pakistan Sweet Homes, Mashal Charity School, SOS Schools and students of Special Education schools (girls with hearing impairment) participated in the event.

A round-robin competition was held on Saturday and the semi-finals and the final were played at Marghazar Cricket Ground on Sunday between the SOS Village and Mashal School, which was won by the former. After winning the toss, the SOS team chose to bat first and in the allotted 10 overs scored 162 runs. In reply, the Mashal School’s team was all out for 79 runs.

The Australian High Commission (AHC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) with the support of Serena Hotels hosted the inaugural girls’ cup.

Speaking on the occasion, Australian High Commissioner Margaret Adamson said the initiative was designed to empower girls and provide them with an opportunity to learn the value of teamwork and sportsmanship and to expand their horizons.

Earlier, the girls attended a week-long coaching camp conducted by the PCB coaches and first-class female cricketers.

“Cricket in Pakistan and Australia is a shared passion for boys and girls, men and women, and provides a wonderful vehicle for promoting and highlighting the importance of gender equality in sport and beyond,” Ms Adamson said, adding they were delighted to see such a positive response and looked forward to making this an annual event with the support of the PCB and Serena Hotels including more schools, potentially from different regions of Pakistan.

Aziz Boolani, the CEO of Serena Hotels, added: “Our commitments to gender empowerment through sports initiatives found expression in the PCB-AHC Girls’ Cricket Cup as we truly believe that sports are a means to encourage healthy lifestyles, peace, tolerance and teamwork.”

Patron-in-chief of Sweet Homes Zamurud Khan appreciated the special students for taking part in the event. The Australian high commissioner and Zamurud Khan distributed prizes among the winners.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2016