Pakistan women’s cricket team head coach David Hemp is hoping that the upcoming programme of trials to unearth talent from across the country will help the struggling side find its feet in the international arena.
The trials, set to commence from May 12, will be conducted by the six provincial cricket associations will target players of ages ranging from 19 to 28. The program is in line with the Pakistan Cricket Board’s ambition to have 100 women cricketers participating in the 2022-23 domestic season.
Pakistan have struggled to win enough to be considered a force to be reckoned with in the last two years and a dismal show at the 50-over World Cup earlier this year has initiated a discourse on the domestic cricket system for women.
For Hemp, the trials are a good start to a fresh process. “Behind the scenes, as you know, the trails are going ahead to develop a different type of group of players so we have a stronger domestic system,” Hemp told reporters on the sidelines of the national side’s preparatory camp for the upcoming One-day International and T20 series against Sri Lanka.
“Once that is in place, you’ll see a shift in fortunes, I believe, because more competition for places drives standards and expectations.”—Agencies