Multan Sultans name Hijab Zahid as PSL's first female general manager

Zahid , a project manager by trade, has arrived in the role after being appointed director of Pakistani digital media outlet Grassroots Cricket earlier in 2023. Owner Ali Tareen is understood to also be aiming to recruit three female coaches

The Cricketer | 29/08/2023 at 04:36

Multan Sultans have appointed the Pakistan Super League's first female general manager.

Hijab Zahid, 28, has succeeded Haider Azhar in the role ahead of the 2024 tournament, and will now be responsible for overseeing the franchise's attempts to win their second title.

Zahid, a project manager by trade, has arrived in the role after being appointed director of Pakistani digital media outlet Grassroots Cricket earlier in 2023.

"I feel like it's a big moment," she told The Cricketer, "and I'm not just saying that because I'm involved in it. Even if I heard the news that one of the other franchises hired a woman as a GM, I would feel so much pride and celebration.

"The administration and management side of cricket is usually a place where women are not looked upon or put in a place of authority. So, to change that narrative and break that down that door – and for me to be at the front of that – I don't have words for it. It makes me feel a little bit speechless; every day I tell myself that I'm ready for it, and then something new comes up. This is a moment that could change things a lot."

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^{Hijab Zahid is the new Multan Sultans general manager [supplied]}

The appointment was made by Multan owner Ali Tareen, who has returned to run the team following the death of his uncle Alamgir.

He has long advocated for greater inclusivity in the men's sphere and has worked to promote women's and girls' cricket in Pakistan.

Tareen is understood to also be aiming to recruit three female coaches for the Sultans in 2024.

"I have to be thankful to Ali for this, because he has more confidence and belief in this than I do in myself," Zahid said.

"I don't know where it comes from, but that just tells me that he sees something that I don't see in myself yet.

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^{Multan were runners-up in the 2023 PSL [AFP via Getty Images]}

"If I can do this and pull this job off, then it will open doors for a lot of women who've been waiting on the sidelines for so long – to be recognised, to be promoted, to be looked at for roles like these, where they are responsible and get the credit for a job well done, and they're not just second-in-command but are actually in command of that whole franchise."

Multan finished as runners-up in the 2023 PSL, losing the final to Lahore Qalandars by one run. The Sultans were defeated by the same opposition in the 2022 final.

"We want the best of the best, and we don't want to hire women just because they're women," Zahid said. "We want to hire women who are experts in their fields. They might not have a lot of experience or exposure right now, but we can probably help them to move forward.

"It is a league that is being watched around the world, one of the top three or four leagues in the world. So, to bring new people into this, we have to make sure that we train them and that they're ready for this. That will be my personal mission, right alongside managing Multan Sultans – to build a team.

For a full interview with Hijab Zahid, click the link below...