Mashal Tigers win 8th AHC-PCB Girls Cricket Cup

The Mashal Tigers belonging to Mashal Model School Bari Imam won the 8th AHC-PCB Girls Cricket Cup by defeating the Islamabad Model School for Girls (IMSG) – F-6/1. The thrilling final was played at Fatima Jinnah Park F-9 on Friday.

The tournament was organized by the Australian High Commission in collaboration with Pakistan Sports Board. A private hotel chain also contributed. The event brought together young players from Islamabad's schools, celebrating girls breaking barriers and batting for gender equality.

Australia’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Neil Hawkins, joined 60 girls from four schools to watch the final match of the tournament.

In the week leading up to the final match, PCB first-class coaches conducted an intensive five-day coaching clinic, preparing the girls to shine on the field and feel more confident off the field.

Australia’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Neil Hawkins, and his wife awarded the winning and runners-up teams with trophy, meddles and certificates.

While addressing the event, Neil Hawkins noted, “The smiles on the girls’ faces say it all. Sport is a great motivator – it builds teamwork and confidence. Of course, cricket is a passion that binds Australia and Pakistan; it makes perfect sense for us to support this wonderful event.”

He said, "Pakistan is facing many challenges at the moment to counter which we have to empower the girls who are in a good number of Pakistan’s society and this has to begin from the schools. The activity here is just a beginning and a part of the health activity of sports it is an effort to empower the Pakistani females."

Hawkins said his focus is on Pakistan’s national game of hockey and he wants to improve the skills of Pakistan’s national hockey team, but that needs an investment and we are working on it. He reiterated that his desire is to do something solid for Pakistan’s blind women's cricket team as well.

The AHC-PCB Girls’ Cup Islamabad featured teams from four schools: Mashal Model School Bari Imam, SOS Children’s Village H-11, Islamabad Model School for Girls – F-6/1 and Islamabad Model School for Girls I-9/1 Islamabad.

Reporter: Anwer Abbas