‘I instantly felt at home’: Alexandra Hartley shares her experience as the first female coach in PSL history

In a cricketing landscape often dominated by tradition and a predominantly male coaching fraternity, the former England women’s cricketer Alexandra Hartley has emerged as a trailblazer in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Currently lending her expertise as the spin bowling coach for Multan Sultans, Hartley’s venture into coaching signifies not only a personal triumph but also a groundbreaking moment for women in cricket coaching as she is the first female coach of PSL history.

Shattering stereotypes: Alexandra Hartley’s impact in Multan Sultans’ camp

Amidst the vibrant energy of the Multan Sultans’ training camp, Hartley is not just a coach but a catalyst for change. Frequently seen engaged in intense discussions and training sessions, Hartley has seamlessly transitioned from her role as a player to a coach, bringing a wealth of experience to the team and setting a new precedent for women in cricket coaching. Her dedication and determination have undoubtedly played a pivotal role in Multan Sultans currently occupying the top spot in the PSL 2024 points table.

Overcoming challenges: Navigating tradition and language barriers

The journey of Hartley as the first female coach in PSL history is not without its challenges, as there were initial concerns raised about whether she would be able to navigate traditional shifts and language barriers. Despite these hurdles, Hertley has managed to defy expectations and create a supportive environment within the team.

Hartley shares her PSL experience

In an exclusive interview with the Indian Express, Hartley shed light on the welcoming atmosphere at Multan Sultans, emphasizing the pivotal role played by franchise owner Ali Tareen in making her feel at home.

“Everyone is welcoming and understanding. Ali (Tareen, the franchise owner) has broken boundaries. When he rang me and told me I need you at Multan Sultans, I just couldn’t turn it down. It’s a lot more than cricket. As soon as I arrived, we had a team meeting. Ali sat down everyone and said this is your bowling coach, this is your fielding coach blah blah. I instantly felt at home,” said Hartley.

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Hartley’s commitment to language learning and praise for Usama Mir

Acknowledging the importance of effective communication, Hartley further expressed her commitment to learning at least a few words of Hindi and Urdu.

In addition to this, she highlighted the dedication and hard work of Multan’s star spinner, Usama Mir. Hartley commended his efforts to analyze and improve his performance.

“I need to learn at least a few words of Hindi and Urdu,” the former English cricketer remarked.

“I think he (Usama) has put on a lot of hard work before the competition. He reflected on the World Cup. He came and told us straight away to look where he was leaking runs, and this was where he wanted to improve,” she said.

Championing women’s cricket: Hartley’s WPL vision beyond PSL

Beyond her coaching role in the PSL, Hartley envisions broader platforms for women’s cricket, citing the ongoing Women’s Premier League (WPL) as a shining example. However, she suggested that it would be even nicer if the league’s games were more extended.

“It’s probably one of the best tournaments in the world just behind The Hundred, It’s been played only in Bengaluru and Delhi. That’s a lot of games. Showing women’s cricket is accessible to everyone. I would love to see WPL getting more extended,” she added.

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.