Could Malala become latest T20 franchise owner? 🏏

Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai has shown an interest in buying a team in Pakistan's inaugural women's cricket league.

Author

Diamond Duck 💎🦆
April 01, 2023

Welcome to the Diamond Duck, the cricket newsletter which is Out first ball every weekend…

At the crease this week:

  • Malala eyes Women’s T20 franchise

  • Tendulkar suggests an alternative ODI format

  • IPL franchises set to score 80% revenue growth

Opening Up

Malala interested in becoming owner in Pakistan’s inaugural women's league 🇵🇰

The Women’s League via PCB

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai has shown an interest in buying a team in Pakistan's inaugural women's cricket league, according to reports.

The female education activist has also previously expressed her interest in becoming an owner to the former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja.

During his tenure as the chairman, Raja was responsible for launching The Women's League, featuring four teams and 12 games to be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

This was set to be played in March (3 – 18th) alongside Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 8 (which would have also coincided with the highly successful inaugural Women’s IPL).

However, it was since delayed.

Recently three exhibition matches took place as a test for the league between the Amazons and Super Women and the tournament is now aiming for a September launch.

The PCB has announced that the league will now feature a fifth team, perhaps offering Malala an extra chance to be involved...

Middle Order

ODIs: A game of four quarters? 🏏 

The ICC has played down concerns the ODI format has become “predictable and boring,” highlighting countries are still scheduling a strong number of ODIs.

The increase in the franchise T20 leagues has crowded the cricket calendar and forced some pundits and former cricketers to raise questions about the relevance of the format, including Sachin Tendulkar.

To make it more interesting, the Indian legend has proposed governing bodies consider introducing a new format where games are split into four quarters of 25 overs each;

"We should be playing 25 overs first. Divide it into 4 halves, like in Test cricket. In Test cricket you have 20 wickets, here you only have 10 wickets. If you are dismissed, you are out of the game for the next 25 overs as well. You can't come back and bat.”

Sachin Tendulkar, Mumbai Indians
Tail End

  • New sponsors and media rights mean IPL franchises are set to score big with 80% revenue growth.

  • England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt helps Mumbai Indians beat Delhi Capitals to win inaugural WPL title.

  • Virat Kohli sponsor, Herbalife Nutrition, has become an official partner of the IPL.

  • Teenager Phoebe Litchfield selected in Australia’s Women’s Ashes squad.

  • Pakistan is set to hire former South Africa internationals Morne Morkel and Andrew Puttick as men’s bowling and batting coach.

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