LAHORE: Australian High Commissioner Neil Hawkins says that empowering women is important and using the medium of cricket for this purpose is also a source to achieve the desired results.

He was addressing the ceremony at the end of a women cricket tournament, organised jointly by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Australian High Commission at the Kinnaird College ground here on Thursday.

Mr Hawkins said playing the cricket tournament increased the confidence among the women and Australia would continue supporting women sports in Pakistan. He praised Pakistan women captain Bismah Maroof, calling her a great inspiration for the women.

It may be mentioned here that Cricket Australia had refused to host Afghanistan men cricket team because the Afghan rulers had refused to allow women to take part in sports and education.

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2023