NORTH WAZIRISTAN: Aina Wazir, a young girl from North Waziristan’s Shewa village, has made waves on social media with her bowling skills, prompting the owner of Pakistan Super League franchise Peshawar Zalmi to select her for his upcoming women’s team.

A video of Aina appeared on the social media platform X over the past 24 hours, where she can be seen showcasing both her batting and bowling skills in a street match.

The video captured the attention of Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi, who said “talent like this deserves the right platform”.

In a post on X, he said that she would be part of the upcoming Zalmi Women League — a platform for girls to “play, inspire, and express their talents”.

“We will ensure she is provided with all necessary cricket equipment and proper facilities so she gets the opportunity she truly deserves to grow and shine and become the next Saira Jabeen,” he said.

The video had also captured the attention of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, who said on X, “It is truly heartening to witness such extraordinary raw talent emerging from our soil, a powerful reminder of the immense potential within our youth.”

He said he hoped to see Aina receive the encouragement, training, and institutional support she deserved so her talent “can be fully refined”.

“Our province is brimming with gifted daughters like Aina, whose dreams need only recognition and the right platform. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that no talent goes unnoticed and no dream remains unsupported,” he said in the post, also tagging Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

The attention has resulted in Aina pledging to work hard to play for the women’s cricket team.

In a recent video message, she said, “When I grow up, I want to play for the Pakistan women’s team. I want girls from our area to play and move forward.”

She expressed special gratitude to Zalmi owner Javed Afridi for including her in the Zalmi Women League and calling it the “biggest moment” of her life.

“If I am supported, I will work even harder,” Aina said. “I want proper academies and schools in North Waziristan.”

Aina also appealed to the government and sporting bodies to establish quality educational institutions, modern playgrounds, and cricket academies in North Waziristan to help local talent progress.

Meanwhile, according to local residents, Aina has proven that talent does not depend on living in big cities or going to expensive academies.

Speaking to Dawn, a local elder remarked, “She is our daughter. She has brought pride to Waziristan. The government should support such talented girls.”

Many are expressing hope that, with proper guidance and facilities, national and international-level players can emerge from Waziristan.

However, sports infrastructure in North Waziristan remains limited. There are few proper playgrounds and a lack of established cricket academies. Many children are forced to play on uneven grounds without access to coaching or modern equipment.

The state of education also presents challenges. In several areas, school buildings are inadequate, and sports development activities are nearly non-existent.

Local teachers believe that promoting sports at the school level would encourage positive activities and provide constructive pathways for the youth.

Experts argue that sports not only provide healthy engagement for young people but also play a vital role in promoting peace and stability. With improved sports infrastructure, Waziristan could become a nursery of talent.

Aina’s story is not just about the success and recognition of a young girl; it is also a light of hope for an entire region. Her determination and resilience demonstrate that, given the right opportunities, children from Waziristan can one day raise Pakistan’s flag on international grounds.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2026