PESHAWAR: The inaugural women Twenty20 Cricket Super League — the first such event in the history of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — will be staged here at the Arbab Niaz Stadium from Oct 26 to Nov 2, it was officially announced on Monday.

Director Operation Syed Saqlain Shah revealed about the said event while speaking during a press conference at sports arena on Monday. Organising secretary of the league Sadaf Khan, Director Sports KP Azizullah Jan, organising committee member Rehmat Gul and coach Masood Khan were also present during the press conference.

He said, the opening ceremony of the event will be held on Oct 26 at 3:00pm at the Arbab Niaz Stadium before the trophy unveiling ceremony a day before the opening of the event.

“Eight teams namely Karachi Queen, Peshawar Angles, Rawalpindi Hitters, Fata Strikers, Peshawar Paighlay, Islamabad Blasters, Kashmir Stars and Quetta Fighters will be competing in the league,” he said.

The participating teams had been divided into two groups, Saqlain added. Group ‘A’ comprises Karachi Queens, Peshawar Angles, Rawalpindi Hitters, Fata Strikers while Group ‘B’ consists of Quetta Fighters, Kashmir Stars, Islamabad Blasters and Peshawar Paighly.

He said the directorate of sports has extended all-out support for staging the league by providing accommodation, food, transport plus cash prize of Rs100,000 for winners and Rs50,000 for runners-up.

Saqlain said after successful holding of the U-23 Games, the first Women T20 Super League would further enhance Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s reputation.

Speaking on the occasion, Sadaf said more 160 females would be taking part in the League.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2018