PCB confirm women's T20 league for March 2023

The four-team event will take place in Rawalpindi and run alongside the Pakistan Super League

The Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed plans to stage a women's T20 league in March 2023.

The four-team event will be hosted in Rawalpindi and run alongside the 2023 Pakistan Super League.

The teams will contest a 12-match double round-robin group stage before the top two sides compete for the trophy on March 18 – the day before the PSL final.

Each team will have a squad of 18 players, including six overseas players. However, an expected clash with the inaugural women's IPL could create some player availability issues for both competitions.

^{PCB chair Ramiz Raja believes the tournament attract more women into cricket [Alex Davidson/Getty Images]}

PCB chair, Ramiz Raja, said: "I am delighted to announce the women's league. This league will attract young women cricketers to this great sport and help our current players further enhance their skills when they will get to share dug-outs with the overseas players.

"The league will feature present and past trailblazers in women's cricket in what promises to be an exciting 13-match event.

"To amplify the coverage and promotion of this initiative, some of the matches will precede the HBL Pakistan Super League matches.

"This event is aligned to our strategy of making Pakistan a stronger cricket playing nation across all formats and genders. We are not only creating attractive brands to strengthen our cricket economy, but through this tournament are also providing career opportunities to our women cricketers. The more our women cricketers will participate in high-pressure events, the more they will learn.

"The PCB is a strong proponent of empowering women to shine brighter. By engaging our women, which form 49 per cent of the country's population, we will enhance the economic and social prosperity of our country."