Why a women's coach for a men's team is closer than ever after a Pakistani T20 team became an unlikely pioneer in cricket's fight for gender equality, writes Wisden Editor LAWRENCE BOOTH

When Test star Mohammad Rizwan approached Alex Hartley to ask about the spin-bowling plans for the new batsman during this year’s Pakistan Super League, she knew she had been accepted into a world that would once have seemed more like another planet. Alex Hartley had little coaching experience before she received an offer from Multan Sultans But the team was keen to enhance their bowling support staff after adding Catherine Dalton to their ranks Hartley soon found herself immersed in a new environment in the socially conservative city ‘At that level, it’s not really technical coaching,’ says their general manager Hijab Zahid. I thought: “Oh s***, here we go.” The former England international has spent much of her post-playing career as a commentator Multan Sultans enjoyed a strong season in the Pakistan Super League and topped group stage Mohammad Rizwan was among the players to quickly show Hartley respect in her new role ‘I was really nervous, but I said: “Look, you’re the most important people. She adds: ‘I see it as a sign of progress if, as a society, we can eliminate the barrier of gender.’ Hartley was keen to follow the lead of her colleagues when it came to observing customs Hartley worked with the PSL's leading wicket-taker, Sultans spinner Usama Mir It helped that the Sultans were having a good PSL, topping the group stage with seven wins out of 10, and reaching their third final in a row – only to lose by two runs to Islamabad United in Karachi. Multan Sultans finished a close second behind winners Islamabad United Hartley believes she has been a trailblazer during her time in Multan after seeing the impact of her appointment on social media The Sultans hierarchy are hopefuly that Hartley returns for 2025's tournament after exceeding expectations ‘For example, could Charlotte Edwards coach a men’s team?