Balochistan’s first female cricket coach opens doors for province girls

QUETTA: Breaking through traditional and cultural barriers, Khair-un-Nisa Baloch has emerged as Balochistan’s first female cricket coach, taking on a mission to help talented girls from the province find a place in competitive cricket.

Her journey is being seen as a source of encouragement for young women who want to pursue sport but often face limited opportunities and social challenges. By stepping into coaching, Khair-un-Nisa is not only developing cricketing skills but also helping young players build confidence and believe that they can compete at higher levels.

For many aspiring female cricketers in Balochistan, having a woman coach has created a more supportive environment in which they can train, learn and express themselves on the field.

Khair-un-Nisa said she was proud to carry the distinction of becoming the province’s first female cricket coach.

“I am honoured to be Balochistan’s first female cricket coach, and this is a matter of great pride for me,” she said.

She also praised the Pakistan Army for providing women with opportunities and encouragement to participate in sports, saying such initiatives could help more girls discover and develop their abilities.

Her ambitions extend well beyond the boundaries of her academy.

“My aim is to take Balochistan’s talented daughters to the national and international cricket arena,” Khair-un-Nisa said, stressing that the province has no shortage of talent.

According to her, what young players need most is not ability but opportunity. Access to training, coaching and competitive platforms can allow promising cricketers to turn their potential into meaningful careers.

For Khair-un-Nisa, the ultimate reward would be seeing one of the players she has trained represent Pakistan at the national level.

“If a player from my academy represents Pakistan at the national level through my training, that would be my greatest achievement,” she said.

The young cricketers training under her supervision also spoke positively about her coaching approach. They said she worked closely with individual players and paid attention to their specific strengths and weaknesses.

“Our coach trains us very well and gives special attention to every player’s abilities,” the academy players said.

They added that Khair-un-Nisa’s guidance had provided them with better opportunities to play, improve their skills and develop confidence.

Her work represents a significant step for women’s cricket in a province where opportunities for female athletes have historically been limited. By creating a pathway for young girls to train and compete, she hopes to inspire a new generation to take the sport seriously.

Khair-un-Nisa’s story is ultimately about more than cricket. It is about opening doors. Her message to Balochistan’s young girls is clear: talent can come from anywhere, and with determination, hard work and the right opportunity, dreams can move from the academy to the national stage.