SABAHAT SARWAR
KARACHI: In the heart of Karachi, every Sunday at Frere Hall, a remarkable and inspiring sight draws attention — a young woman in a burqa and hijab fearlessly striking powerful cricket shots. Known across social media as the “Burqa Girl,” Faiza Azam Khan has become a viral sensation for her extraordinary cricketing skills. Originally from Kashmir, Faiza has been living in Karachi for the past seven to eight years. For the last three years, Sunday cricket at Frere Hall has become a weekly tradition for her, playing passionately alongside her cousins and brothers. Despite a demanding professional life as a banker, she dedicates her only day off — Sunday — to the sport she has loved since childhood. “My love for cricket began at a young age, playing with my brothers,” Faiza shared. Her videos, showcasing her explosive batting, have attracted millions of views across social media platforms. Faiza expressed deep gratitude for her family and relatives, who have wholeheartedly supported her cricketing passion. While the majority of responses have been overwhelmingly positive, Faiza admitted that not everyone has been supportive. “There are always a few who criticize, but I don’t take it to heart. I focus on the encouragement and love I receive from the majority,” she said. As her presence on social media grew, many suggested she take her talent further — encouraging her to attend national and even international cricket trials. Motivated by the faith others had in her, Faiza joined a cricket academy to train with a hard ball and polish her skills. Unfortunately, her intense work schedule forced her to discontinue after three months. From childhood, Faiza has drawn inspiration from cricketing legends. She admired Shahid Khan Afridi in her early years and now follows the playing style of Mohammad Rizwan. She currently plays as a batter and wicketkeeper at Frere Hall. While she identifies as an allrounder, she acknowledges the difficulty of bowling in an abaya in a public setting. With unshakable determination and the backing of her family, Faiza continues to chase her dream of representing the Pakistan women’s cricket team. Faiza remains fully committed to her cricketing journey and holds an unwavering passion for the sport. She has made it clear that if given the opportunity to play at the national level, she would wholeheartedly accept and pursue it — with the firm condition of continuing to wear her hijab.
