Multan Sultans have rewritten the rules of cricket with a groundbreaking move, breaking gender barriers by integrating female leaders into their men’s cricket team. Catherine Dalton and Alex Hartley were appointed as the fast bowling coach and spin bowling coach, respectively, while Hijab Zahid took charge as the general manager.
This unprecedented decision marks the first time a franchise team has hired female staff in both management and coaching roles in franchise cricket.
Reflecting on her pioneering role, Catherine Dalton, a former Ireland cricketer, described the experience as incredible, emphasizing the warm reception from fans and the significance of her presence in franchise cricket.
“It’s been an amazing experience. Obviously, as a female coach, it’s something a little bit different. It’s never happened in franchise cricket.
“It has been an amazing experience, travelling around to different places, seeing all the fans, they’ve been so supportive.”
Alex Hartley, former England cricketer and spin bowling coach for Multan Sultans, highlighted the initial apprehensions she faced but lauded the team’s warm reception. She added,
“It’s been brilliant, there was a little bit of apprehension on how I would be not respected but taken as a coach, I guess for the first time in a men’s environment, but the day I got here, everyone was so warm and welcoming.”
Both Dalton and Hartley’s appointments represent a monumental step towards inclusivity and challenge traditional gender norms in the sport.
However, Dalton emphasizes the importance of establishing trust and value as a coach, stressing that gender should not limit opportunities in cricket.
“There’s a saying if you can’t see it, you can’t be it. And I think now we’re seeing women in these roles. It’s making a massive impact. And as you said, gender equality is getting better,” says Dalton.
“I think it’s really important to establish a relationship of trust. And once you have that, then you can start to add value. And I think what I’ve discovered as a coach is if you’re adding value to a player, you’re making them better, you’re improving them, then they don’t mind where the message comes from. And certainly, my style was quite relaxed, quite a happy style,” said the former Ireland cricketer.
Hartley shares similar sentiments, advocating for meaningful inclusion rather than a mere tick-box exercise.
“I want to see more females in the men’s game. I do. And I think it’s brilliant. Because you know, we bring a different side to it, we have different knowledge, we have different experiences, but I don’t want it to become a tick box exercise. So, for me, you have to get the right people involved at the right time. And you know, it’s just like men’s cricket, you have to appoint the right people, for the right teams. But yeah, there is no reason why more women shouldn’t be in the men’s game.” said former World Cup winner.
Despite facing gender-based criticism, especially from the press, Hartley and the team remain focused on proving themselves through results.
“I think the press and some wider people wanted us to fail because we had two females on the coaching staff.”
Hijab Zahid, Multan Sultans’ general manager, views their initiative as pivotal in challenging stereotypes and promoting gender equality.
“The step that Multan Sultans has taken, sent a very important message, not just in Pakistan but globally as well as our two female coaches are from England and Ireland, even in their countries, they did not have this opportunity, so we are kind of pioneers in this initiative of giving women important roles in men’s cricket,”
As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, the women of Multan Sultans share messages of empowerment and encouragement. Catherine Dalton urges confidence, emphasizing that anything is achievable with determination.
“My message is to be confident,” Dalton stated. “You can do anything if you put your mind to it.”
Hartley hopes their roles in Pakistan demonstrate that women are respected and valued in the cricketing world.
“We’ve been through so much as females and been through so much adversity, and things are slowly but surely starting to get better. But I’m hoping the role I’ve played here at Multan is to show that this isn’t just cricket. This is a wider thing. This is showing that, you know women are respected in Pakistan and can be respected in Pakistan,” she said.
Zahid underscores the importance of mutual support on Women’s Day, advocating for a collective celebration of progress and empowerment. As Multan Sultans lead the charge for gender inclusivity in cricket, their bold step sends a powerful message of equality and opportunity for women in the sport.
“This day is for everyone to celebrate and support each other, mutually,”
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