Pakistan Cricket Board ends Women’s National Championship after fire breaks out at team hotel

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was forced to end the Women’s National Championship abruptly here on Monday after five players were shaved following a fire at the team’s hotel. The PCB had reserved an entire floor for the five competing sides and team officials.

A source said that apart from the five players, all other cricketers and officials were at the National Stadium for matches or net sessions when the fire broke out.

“Five players were in their rooms when the fire broke out. Some belongings of the players and officials were damaged,” he said.

“PCB has decided to shorten the 2024-25 National Women’s One-Day Tournament in Karachi following the fire at the team hotel,” the PCB said in a statement. he said.

“Fortunately, no players were injured as the PCB immediately evacuated the five players from the hotel at the time of the incident and placed them safely at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre.”

Apparently the PCB tried to find alternative accommodation for the teams but they were unable to find a hotel due to the Idea Defense Exhibition being held in Karachi.

The PCB said the decision to shorten the tournament was taken keeping the health and safety of the players in mind.

“In addition, the lack of alternative accommodation to meet the required standards of approximately 100 rooms also contributed to this outcome,” the PCB said in its statement.

“To decide the winner of the tournament, the PCB has decided that the Invincibles and the Stars (the top two teams after four matches each) will face each other in the final. The date and venue of the final will be announced in due course.”