Pakistan’s women’s team has been refused permission to play in public by the authorities, who fear the disapproval of the religious right.

Angry women cricketers said the Pakistan Cricket Board turned down the request of the Women’s Cricket Control Association for permission to hold a series of matches this month between India and Pakistan in its stadiums in Lahore and Karachi, saying that it was ”against women playing any game in public.”

When their many representations were ignored, the venue of the planned three one-day matches – part of the 50th Independence Day celebrations under way in both countries – was shifted to private cricket grounds in the two cities.

Protesting in an open letter to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif – copies of which were released to the press – the women’s association said: ”It is a matter of regret that government functionaries make statements about the participation of women in all fields of acitivity, but experience proves otherwise.”

Pakistani rights activists think the authorities are scared to displease the religious right, who would like to put all Pakistani women in purdah (the veil).

Discrimination against women is deep rooted in Pakistani society. In most of the all-girls schools and colleges in the country, students are taught embroidery and other ‘ladylike’ occupations, but there is no facility for sports.

As a result, though it is a country of 140 million people, contingents to international meets are predominantly male and Pakistani women have not made a mark in sports.

“Pakistan has a women’s team it could be proud of, but there is no support,” declares Anita Ghulamali of the Women’s Cricket Association.

“Instead, facilities are different for male and female players. While officials and sponsors fall over each other to support and endorse the men’s national team, the women’s team has been raising its own funds and playing on private grounds.”

The team was told by an unidentified official that he did ”not want them to participate in public sport,” Ghulamali, a former education minister in the province of Sindh and honorary secretary of the cricket association, told participants in a Karachi seminar on women’s rights recently.

The government does not spend money on women’s cricket. Women affairs minister Syeda Abida Hussain had promised to give about $4,700 to the women’s team, but there has been no news since.

Earlier in the year, the team toured New Zealand and Australia on its own initiative and money. Cricketer Mehreen Haleem said they were promised money by the then caretaker government, but it ”backed out at the last minute. And after the caretakers backed out and nothing was given to us, we all had to pool together the $50,000 required for the trip to the two countries,” said Mehreen.

Moreover, the team was refused permission to practice in the cricket stadium in Karachi before it left for the friendly tour.

”We had to put up nets in the car park outside the stadium to practise,” Haleem said.

Pakistan’s team is no push over, says Ghulamali, who points out that a team member was selected to the prestigious International Women’s Cricket Council (IWCC), whose members include India, South Africa, Canada, England, Ireland, Denmark, West Indies, the Netherlands, Australia and Japan.

Asked why the Pakistan Cricket Board discriminates against women, its chairman Majid Khan, a former test cricketer, said the women’s team was not their concern. ”We also have a heavy season ahead with a lot of matches to be played. We have to take into consideration the upkeep and maintenance of the stadiums.”

The bias against women in Pakistan is state sanctioned. It surfaced during the martial law regime of General Zia ul Haq, who placated Islamic fundamentalists to stay in power. Anti-women laws were enacted, which the governemnt said conformed to the Islamic Shariah laws. But that has been contested by critics.

In sports, the military government enforced a dress code for women following an outcry that women should not be allowed to wear shorts. Pakistan’s women’s hockey team was the first to be forced to change to baggy trousers.

”This is a major handicap, as sweaty trousers become soggy and heavy, while the rival team remains swift and cool in their shorts,” says Sindh Hockey Association secretary general Shahida Jamil, who is also a lawyer.

It has also restricted their participation in international meets. According to Shahida, the team has been abroad only once, to an exhibition match in China.

”Let alone India, even Muslim countries like Indonesia, Malaysia and Bangladesh encourage their women teams to participate in international events,” she said.

Aiming to counter its critics, the government announced it would host an Islamic Women’s Games, organised for the first time three years ago in Teheran by the Iranian government. But that plan was shelved without explanation.

However, PCB’s chief operating officer Saleem Altaf Thursday made it clear that the central contracts will only be given to the ICL players once they leave the league and start performing on the domestic circuit.

“The central contracts are given to players on the basis of their performance for the Pakistan team and in domestic matches. We have already given the contracts to 27 of our leading cricketers and have no plans to extend the list in the near future,” he said.

Earlier, some of the country’s ICL players had come out in open with the demand. Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, one of the popular Pakistani cricketer who moved to ICL, Wednesday asked for finacial security from the board before terminating his ICL contract.

“I want some financial protection and that can come in the form of a central contract with the board,” Rana told reporters.

The central contracts awarded by the PCB are divided into three categories with the players getting paid monthly salaries.

Rana is one of the three ICL players who were initially named in a 30-man preliminary squad for the 2009 World Twenty20 Championship to be played in England in June.

However, the three players that also included all-rounder Abdul Razzaq and opener Imran Nazir were later dropped from the list with the board saying that it would consider them once the players are cleared by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The PCB had awarded 26 players, including controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, central contracts.

The list of players awarded with central contracts was drawn up by coach Intikhab Alam, manager Yawar Saeed and chief selector Abdul Qadir, who said they had chosen players based on their seniority.

The choice of players was heavily criticised by former Test players, PCB officials and the government with the sports minister Aftab Shah Jilani demanding an explanation.

Under intense pressure, the PCB handed promising fast bowler Abdur Rauf a contract last week, taking the total to 27.

But the PCB continued to face attacks for ignoring deserving youngsters and it has now formed a committee to review the list.

Chairman Ijaz Butt will head the committee, which will also include PCB director general Javed Miandad, chief operating officer Saleem Altaf and Alam.

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“I want to bat another 40-plus overs tomorrow and if I have a chance to come close to the record it’s fine, but the main target is to give some bowling to the bowlers,” Younis said after the day’s play. “In my mind I think our bowlers should bowl some overs tomorrow because they need some bowling before the second Test. We have youngsters like Yasir Arafat and Sohail Khan, and Umar Gul also needed some bowling.”

Younis became the third Pakistan batsman after Hanif Mohammad and Inzamam-ul-Haq to reach a triple-hundred. He has himself been critical of the pitch, but Younis counted himself lucky to complete the achievement on a “cemented” track. “I dedicate this effort to my family, who have always prayed for me and backed me in difficult times, and my friends, team-mates.”

With the pressure of avoiding the follow-on on them, Younis and the other Pakistan batsman adopted a cautious approach, and their 574 for 5 took 202 overs; in contrast Sri Lanka made 644 for 7 declared in 155.2. “On this wicket runs were not easy and that too against spinners like Murali [Muttiah Muralitharan] because the ball was skidding on it.”

Younis has been at the crease for most of the innings. He arrived shortly before stumps on the second day, and managed to bat out two more. “I’m still feeling good and I have a couple of more hours of batting strength left in me and I will try my best. My body is in good shape,” he said. “My first target was to avoid the follow-on but now the target is to come on equal first-innings points with Sri Lanka. If we score 30-40 more than they did it will be good for us.”

Younis said there was “nothing left in the game”, and he did not expect any fifth-day surprises. “The wicket is slow and the ball is breaking but it’s not like that it’s unplayable. The ball is not gripping and there’s nothing left in the wicket.”

Younis also played a good host, saying that besides testing his bowlers, a declaration was due since otherwise it would be “an injustice to the Sri Lankans” who have fielded for 200-odd overs. “We can also come in this position in future,” he said. “Cricket’s charm should be there and we will give them around 40 to 50 overs to bat.”

Younis may have tackled the likes of Murali and Ajantha Mendis during his innings, but he felt it did not match up to his match-winning 267 against India in Bangalore in 2005. “I think the Bangalore innings was more important because we won that match and managed to draw the series. I rate that innings more highly than this one.” Nor did he think it was better than Inzamam’s triple against New Zealand in Lahore in 2002. “Inzamam’s triple-century was made in intense heat. I played that match. He hit around 12-13 sixes [he hit nine]. He was out of form and was struggling. I watched that innings from the dressing room. Inzy bhai‘s innings was top-class.

“I was lucky – it’s hot in Karachi but there’s a breeze in the afternoon which makes things good.”

Younis could face a tricky call if he is close to 400 when a declaration is needed. “In my mind only the team plan matters if I come close to 400 I would give message to my team whether they want me to stay for couple of more overs. Records are not important for me; for me the team comes first.”

“When you play against the top players like Ponting, you learn different and good things,” Younis told AFP. “Ponting is a brilliant captain and, when you play against such a leader, you tend to learn. Hussey is a stubborn batsman and Johnson has developed into a world-class bowler whose every delivery is near 140 kmph. So we will miss them.”

Michael Clarke was named captain for the series and the Australia squad also includes returning allrounders Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson and fast bowler Brett Lee. “It is a great opportunity for this young [Pakistan] team,” Younis said. “When you play against a top team like Australia there are a lot of opportunities to learn and I hope my team gain in experience.”

Younis said that he was not “expecting much” from his team but hoped that his players would learn from Australia’s attitude on the field. “The Australians have an attitude which says everything about their cricket. That is, not to give up, aggression in all situations and I am sure my team will observe that.

“If my team plays a little bit above their potential then I am sure we can achieve better results. I am not expecting much from this team but my main expectation is that they play with full throttle and potential.”

Pakistan’s squad for the series includes Shoaib Akhtar, who has returned after recovering from a knee injury. “My request to Akhtar is to play for the team, for himself, and remain focused on the game,” Younis said. “I will not put extra pressure of expectations on him but he will have to play with his full ability.”

Pakistan selectors Monday named three rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) players — Abdul Razzaq, Rana Naved-ul Hasan and Imran Nazir — in a preliminary 30-man squad for the Twenty20 World Cup in England in June.

The selectors said the trio were included subject to clearance from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

But the next day, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) dropped the trio, saying they were not included in the 30-man list sent to the ICC.

The PCB has sought clarification from the ICL on the status of Pakistani players’ contracts before taking a final decision on their inclusion.

Inzamam criticised the sudden about-turn.

“I think the PCB succumbed to the pressure from the ICC. If there were rules barring the PCB not to include the ICL players then why didn’t our board know these rules,” Inzamam told AFP.

The ICL — bankrolled in 2007 by India’s largest media Group, Zee television — was not recognised by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the ICC and players taking part in it were barred by member countries.

The high court in Pakistan’s southern province of Sindh, however, cleared all Pakistani players in the rebel league last February, paving the way for their return to domestic cricket and into contention for the national side.

Inzamam said ICL players would strengthen the national side.

“Why is Pakistan taking pressure from the ICC and the BCCI? If they include ICL players then our team will become very strong and will perform better.

“Look at India. Pakistan and India were standing at the same place in 2007 after we both were knocked out of the World Cup (in West Indies) in the first round but with ICL and IPL (Indian Premier League) they have gained a lot.”

Inzamam accused the ICC of fearing private leagues because of the threat to sponsorships.

“I see only one reason for the ICC’s opposition to the ICL and that is they have to share finances as private leagues also take away sponsorhips, which is a danger for them,” said Inzamam.

Inzamam, who retired from international cricket in 2007, lamanted the ban.

“Why are we keeping ICL players away from international cricket? It’s unjust and I hope the PCB reviews its decision. We must fight for the cause beneficial for us,” said Inzamam.

The ICC said it would discuss the ICL issue at its executive board meeting in Dubai on April 17 and 18.

“We do terminate out contract with the India League, today if Pakistan Cricket Board gives us the guarantee for central contract.” Rana told Cricdb. “If you terminate our contract with the league[ICL] and come up with the NOC after that cricket board does not accept us then this is not fair with us.” Rana explained.

“Atleast we should know our status,” he said and added, “Let suppose if PCB accept us but restrict us only for domestic cricket which is again not good for us.”

Rana further said, PCB has sent out names to International Cricket Council (ICC) for clearance and we are seeking ICC response which is expected on April 17.

“Since, Mohammad Yousaf had been messed up when he had decided to quit ICL earlier to play for Pakistan but he never found his place again in the squad,” Rana pointed out the previous experience when star batsman quit his contract with the ICL but later board taken u-turn and refute to retain him.

Yousuf signed for the inaugural edition of ICL, but the Nasim Ashraf-led PCB convinced him not to play in the rebel Twenty20 competition so that he could continue playing for the national team. But he[Yousaf] never came back into the Pakistan color as board kept ignoring him consistently and veteran middle-order batsman had rejoined the rebel league, silently.

“We don’t want to be trapped, however we are hundred percent with the cricket board and I urge PCB to stay composed and fight for us, we then definitely play for Pakistan with high spirit,” he maintained.

“Meanwhile we are in contracted with a good job[ICL Contract] and if we find good future with Pakistan we definitely will terminate the ICL contract,” Rana signed off.

All-rounder Abdul Razzaq, batsman Imran Nazir and fast bowler Rana Naveed – suspended from international duty by the PCB because of their participation in the ICL – were initially named in the list of 30 probables.

However, the Pakistan board has now replaced them with wicketkeeper Zulfiqar Jan, off-spinner Saeed Ajmal and batsman Mohammad Hafeez in the list sent to the International Cricket Council on Tuesday.

“The PCB has sought approval from the ICC on the inclusion of Razzaq, Naveed and Nazir in the list of 30,” the board said in a statement.

“If the ICC approves the inclusion of ICL players then these ICL players will replace three players (Jan, Ajmal and Hafeez),” it added.

All players competing in the ICL have been suspended by their respective cricket boards and are therefore unable to represent their countries in international matches. The future of ICL players will come up for discussion when the ICC’s executive board meets in Dubai later this month.

The provisional 30-man squad will be cut to 15 when the final squad is named next month.

England will host the second World Twenty20 tournament in June.

India defeated Pakistan to win the inaugural tournament held in South Africa in 2007.

Pakistan Provisional Squad

Younis Khan (capt.), Salman Butt, Nasir Jamshed, Khalid Latif, Shahzaib Hassan, Ahmed Shahzad, Umar Amin, Misbah-ul-Haq, Faisal Iqbal, Fawad Alam, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir, Yasir Arafat, Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar, Aizaz Cheema, Mohammad Aamir, Wahab Riaz, Imran Ali, Danish Kaneria, Abdul Rehman, Yasir Shah, Kamran Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed, Zulfiqar Jan, Saeed Ajmal.

The ever positive Sania has stated that she is playing the best tennis of her life; some would doubt the claim. In 2006, she has rarely gone beyond the 2nd round in most tournaments that she entered. In a nation with an unhealthy obsession with her ATP rankings, this has led to an increased pressure on her. She has responded to it with her typical sauciness and some performance as well. From a high of 32, her rankings have now come to 66.

There is some cheer for her though. The Chinese media, the official Xinhua agency no less, has ranked Sania 10th in their all-time list of most beautiful tennis stars. The list is headed by Argentine sultry hottie Gabriela Sabatini who had the misfortune to play in the Steffi era. The complete list in order reads like Gabriela Sabatini, Chris Evert, Steffi Graf, Anna Kournikova, Martina Hingis, Daniela Hantuchova, Mary Pierce, Maria Sharapova, Justine Henin-Hardenne and Sania Mirza.