The Multan Sultans have just named the first female General Manager (GM) in the history of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Hijab Zahid, 28, not only becomes the franchise’s youngest general manager in history, but she also joins a small group of women worldwide to run a T20 franchise.
Zahid is presently the Director of Grassroots Cricket, a post she has held since the beginning of this year, after succeeding the outgoing General Manager, Haider Azhar. According to ESPNcricinfo, she has a master’s degree in project management from the University of Hertfordshire and previously worked as a media manager for Islamabad United.
This joyful news was revealed by Ali Tareen, who co-owned the squad with his uncle Alamgir Tareen until 2021 when he took full control following his uncle’s death in July.
Ali complimented Zahid as “South Asia’s first female GM in men’s cricket” and “the most qualified general manager among all PSL sides.” He also stated his intention to appoint three female coaches prior to the commencement of the PSL and to encourage gender equality inside the organisation.
We at the @MultanSultans are privileged to have @hijaaaaab as our new GM. A fantastic professional with a Masters in Project Management, who brings with her a wealth of experience. A trailblazer, Hijab is in fact South Asia’s first woman GM in men’s cricket. First of many IA!
— Ali Khan Tareen (@aliktareen) August 28, 2023pic.twitter.com/FAlXrUudWL
“It’s a lot harder to assert authority as a woman,” Zahid said, acknowledging the cultural barriers that often exist in a historically male-dominated sector.
She said her intention to start talks and workshops to assist people in adjust to having a woman in a managing position. She believes that in the future, they will be able to train women to flourish in professions such as analysts, presenters, and media managers, allowing more women to enter the sporting industry.
