Meet Karachi teen cricketer who rides a bike and aspires to be like Shoaib Akhtar

Zaina Javed is an 18-year-old cricketer based in Karachi who is currently preparing for the upcoming National Under 19 women’s T20 tournament.

The teenager started riding a bike two years ago, using it to commute to the cricket academy and everywhere else she pleases.

Zaina said that her passion for biking began when she was 14. "I was crazy about riding a bike," she said. "Initially, my father was hesitant, worrying I'd get hurt. But I persisted, and he eventually taught me how to ride."

The young girl draws inspiration from former Pakistan cricket team fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, her bowling idol. "Meeting Shoaib Akhtar is a lifelong dream," Zaina said. "I would be thrilled to receive bowling tips from him. I've always admired and tried to emulate his distinctive bowling style."

The Karachi based cricketer, who cleared the national U-16 trials in 2021, revealed that initially she knew nothing about cricket. “I didn't even know how to hold a bat and a ball,” Zaina said, while crediting her coaches and trainers for their tireless efforts in guiding her.

Zaina, who had to play alongside boys due to the lack of a separate women's cricket club, believes mental resilience is key for girls to overcome challenges in sports. "I faced curious stares while playing cricket, but I knew how to tune them out," she said.

The youngster added that women's cricket might have a slower pace than men's, but her ambition remains undiminished. “My dream is to represent Pakistan and secure a spot in the national women's cricket team,” she said. “I’m driven to make a lasting impact, aspiring to play in a way that leaves a legacy and earns me recognition and remembrance for years to come.”