New Delhi: In a historic move, the Pakistan Cricket Board or PCB has appointed Hina Munawar as the first-ever woman operations manager for the national men’s cricket team.
Munawar, an experienced police officer with a strong background in operations and security, will oversee team operations for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy and Tri-Nation Series, both set to take place in Karachi starting 19 February.
Before her appointment to the PCB, Munawar served in the Frontier Constabulary (FC) in Swat, one of the most challenging regions in Pakistan, where she was involved in high-level security and operational management. Her leadership in law enforcement has made her a respected figure in the country’s security services.
In addition to her law enforcement career, Munawar made her mark in the cricket world by serving as the manager for the Pakistan women’s under-19 team during the Asia Cup.
Although the official team manager remains veteran civil servant Naveed Akram Cheema, Munawar’s role will focus on streamlining communication between players and the PCB and enhancing the team’s operational structure.
Who is Hina Munawar?
Munawar’s appointment is being viewed as a significant step for women in sports, breaking new ground in a field traditionally dominated by men. The move also aligns with the PCB’s broader goals of modernising team management and improving organisational efficiency.
As a serving officer in the Pakistan Police Service, it is believed that Munawar was brought into the PCB on deputation, a decision spearheaded by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, local media reported.
In 2019, Munawar became the first woman to be appointed Commanding Officer of the FC. She assumed the role in October, marking a groundbreaking achievement in the over a century-long history of the FC.
Munawar’s strategic approach and background in law enforcement will be instrumental in tackling the complex demands of managing a high-profile team like Pakistan’s national cricket squad, local media reported.
Also read: Pakistani fans call Champions Trophy team ‘yaari dosti XI’, extremely weak selection
Win for gender inclusion?
Munawar’s appointment has already sparked discussions, with many seeing it as a step toward greater gender inclusion in sports. For many, this is just the beginning.
“This is a groundbreaking moment for women in Pakistani sports, but what’s next for Hina Munawar’s ambitious role?” X user Zara Ali wrote.
Many others are sceptical. Some Pakistanis had earlier raised concerns about her selection for the under-19 team.“Another Naqvi in town,” Sherry Ozil wrote on X, while Shahzad Mazhar called it “merit ka janaza (the funeral of merit)”.
(Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)