Nahida Khan: From Balochistan’s only player to coaching Pakistan’s future

Hailing from Quetta, Nahida Bibi Khan is a trailblazing former international cricketer who represented Pakistan from 2009 to 2022. She was an integral part of the national team that clinched victory in the 2010 South Asian Games.

Growing up in Quetta, a region known for its gender biases, strict cultural norms, and limited resources, pursuing cricket was a daunting challenge.

“Watching cricket on TV sparked my passion for the sport, and I dreamed of becoming a cricketer,” Nahida said, reflecting on her journey. “I faced many obstacles, but my father remained my strongest supporter, and my family encouraged me wholeheartedly.”

Nahida’s journey began at home, playing cricket with her brothers, and participating in school sports but it took a significant turn when she joined college. Although the college had a women’s sports team, her desire to join was initially met with rejection during trials.

Refusing to give up, she persistently requested the sports teacher for an opportunity. Her determination paid off as she was eventually included in the team, where her outstanding performance earned her the captaincy.

Between 2004 and 2019, Nahida represented several domestic teams, including Quetta Region, Balochistan, Safe Sports Saga, and Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited.

"In 2004, I played for the Quetta Region Women’s Cricket Team. I performed well, scoring a fifty in one match and 45 runs in another. These consistent performances in domestic cricket eventually led to my selection for the Pakistan Cricket Board’s training camp," she recalled.

A Glimpse into Nahida's Cricket Journey

Nahida made her ODI debut against Sri Lanka as a wicketkeeper-batter in February 2009.

“Before joining the national team, I admired players like Fatima Batool, Sana Mir, Qanita Jalil, Asmavia Iqbal, Nain Abidi, and Javeria Khan,” the 38-year-old said. “Reading about them in newspapers and watching them play was incredibly motivating. When I joined the team, I formed great friendships with them.”

Nahida achieved a remarkable feat in 2018, taking four catches in a single ODI match against Sri Lanka. This accomplishment placed her third on the list of the most catches in an innings in WODIs.

Over the course of her career, Nahida represented Pakistan in 120 matches, scoring 2,014 runs and taking one wicket. She retired from international cricket in June 2023.

Transition to Coaching and Management

Soon past her retirement, Nahida transitioned to managerial and coaching roles. She served as the manager of the Pakistan women’s team during their home series against South Africa in September 2023 and is currently the fielding coach of Pakistan U19 Women’s cricket team.

“While I served as the team manager during the South Africa series, my true passion lies in coaching. I aim to pass on my skills to the next generation of players,” Nahida said.

The Quetta-born is a strong advocate for former players pursuing coaching roles. “Female coaches often bring a better understanding of mentoring women’s teams than their male counterparts. It’s important to encourage more women to step into coaching,” Nahida added.

Pakistan team is currently participating in the ongoing ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup in Malaysia.