Summary Pakistan’s highest scoring cricketer in a Women’s World Cup match owes it all to her father
(Web Desk) - For Pakistan’s highest scorer in a Women’s World Cup match, her journey would not have been possible had it not been for her father, a staunch supporter who fought against all odds to allow his daughter to pursue her passion – that of cricket.
In an interview to BBC Urdu, 30-year-old Pakistani cricketer Nahida Khan who hails from Balochistan reveals how her father’s backing helped follow her dream.
"My father backed me despite all the opposition from my family and tribe," she said. "He would say to people that Nahida is my daughter, I m proud of her passion," says Nahida.
Nahida Khan has been representing Pakistan in international cricket since 2009. Photo courtesy: Getty Images
The cricketer shared that her father, an educated liberal, always offered her the support and confidence she required as a budding sportswoman in an environment where the same was frowned upon.
Nahida Khan still remembers how she rushed to her school cricket trial in 2007. Her selection was a dream come true.
"Even today, women cricketers have to practice in the same grounds as men due to a lack of facilities," she said. "In a society where any intermingling of the sexes is frowned upon, you can imagine the stigma that follows."
Recalling the struggles along the way Nahida feels she is lucky to have fulfilled her dream. "Once on my way back from practice, the rickshaw driver asked if I played cricket because he knew of a girl named Nahida - of questionable morals - who also played cricket with boys," she said.
“I lied but every day I am more conscious of the fact that my success would not have been possible without my father s support.”
While she lost her father recently she recalls that during his lifetime he had made sure their family did not pose hurdles for his daughter. "My family used to say no one is going to marry me because I wear boys clothes and play cricket," she adds. "No one wants a girl like that in their family."
