How Women’s Cricket Is Gaining Momentum in Canada

Cricket has a long and fascinating history that stretches back to the 16th century. It has captured millions of people across the globe, and the game is experiencing an impressive surge in popularity in Canada.

With an increasing number of passionate players and advocates, the country boasts fully established men's and women's teams that compete against other nations. What's even more uplifting is the balanced level of backing for women's cricket. Cricket Canada has made sure that skilled female players receive the chances and support necessary to represent their country on the global stage.

Recently, Durriya Shabbir, Cricket Canada's women's director, discussed the emphasis placed on arranging national and regional tournaments for female players and the positive impact it has had on their development.

Last year, we had the pleasure of bringing them to Brazil, and the team had an incredible time. According to an interview with the Toronto Observer, she mentioned that they emerged victorious in the South American Championship. "We are excited about arranging additional tours in the future to provide players with valuable international experience."

In preparation for the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier, the board recently held the National T20 Women's Championship to determine the team that will proudly represent our country. The matches occurred between July 6 and 9 at the turf-wicket pitches of King City's Maple Leaf Cricket Club.

Seventy-five female cricketers took part in the championship, where two teams from Ontario, Ontario Heat and Ontario Fire, competed against teams from British Columbia, the Prairies, and Atlantic Canada in a T20 round-robin match format. The National Team Selectors and Head Coach Pubudu Dassanayake were in attendance to assess the impressive performances of these passionate women and make the final player selections.

"This year, we witnessed a plethora of fresh faces, promising young talents," remarked Fowzieh Yaqubien, the National Team selector, in the aftermath of the tournament. "Choosing a squad from such a vast pool of skilled athletes is a fortunate predicament to find oneself in."

The matches were filled with intense emotions and captivating drama. One notable incident was the reduction of overs to 14 for both the Fire and Prairies teams due to unfavourable weather conditions. Another moment of concern was when Prairie's captain, Divya Saxena, fainted during the match, resulting in her being called off the field. Additionally, the B.C. team showcased their exceptional skills by achieving a hat trick in the 18th over, taking three consecutive wickets. However, their batting performance suffered as they struggled to establish strong partnerships in the top order.

Ontario Heat won the tournament by defeating British Columbia by 54 runs, while Ontario Fire secured third place by defeating Prairies by a convincing 10 wickets.

Shabbir expressed gratitude to individuals who have been actively working together to advance the cause of women's cricket in Canada. He acknowledged the positive outcomes that their collective endeavours have produced.

"I want to begin with the provinces, focusing on the efforts they put in to recruit players and build teams," Shabbir expressed. "Thanks to the backing of the Cricket Canada Board, this tournament has expanded significantly over time."

The cricket organization has been dedicated to establishing opportunities for young women to engage in cricket by establishing additional clubs where they can receive training alongside their male counterparts, fostering mutual learning and growth. Canada is actively supporting the growth and development of female cricketers through various initiatives such as infrastructure development, dedicated development programs, and increased competition opportunities. These efforts aim to harness the talent and potential of these athletes and build a solid national team.