World Cup 2019: Malala Yousafzai says she is a fan of Pakistan bowlers

The opening ceremony of the 12th edition of the cricket World Cup took place in London on Wednesday and the event featured an interesting challenge of 60 seconds. In this, two individuals representing each of the 10 participating nations faced a number of bowlers to score the most number of runs in the given one minute. While hosts England ended up first with 74 runs, India finished the last with just 19 runs. India was represented by former captain Anil Kumble and actor Farhan Akhtar.

Pakistan was represented in the challenge by Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai and former Pakistan cricketer Azhar Ali. They finished seventh out of 10 teams with a score of 38. Malala, 21, was shot at by Taliban gunmen in Pakistan’s Swat Valley in 2012 for pursuing education and in 2014, she was given the Nobel Prize in Peace along with India’s children’s rights activist Kailash Satyarthi. Currently, she has become a worldwide name for advocacy of female education. She now lives in Britain and went to Pakistan last year for the first time since she had a close shave.

Malala enjoyed her time at the 60-seconds challenge and said it was good to see more women taking part in women activities.

“In Pakistan, we have some amazing cricketers, including Sana Mir. These role models are inspiring women to believe in themselves that they are capable of anything. Women should engage more in sports and we all have to contribute to that and encourage women and girls,” Malala was quoted as saying by India Today.

Pakistani journalist Zainab Abbas spoke with the Peace Prize-winner who said: “Yes I follow cricket. It is my favourite sport. I grew up with cricket. In Pakistan, we play in our streets and rooftops.”

‘Cricket was part of our childhood’

Malala said playing cricket was part of their childhood as she played with her brother and was thrilled to see how the game brings together people together from different backgrounds and cultures.

When asked to name her favourite cricketer, Malala smiled and said she has a number of them and it is difficult to pick one. “Hasan Ali, Shadab, many more, many more,” she said.

Malala made a special mention of the Pakistani bowling attack said she is a big fan of the country’s “incredible” bowling attack. She wished good luck to every player in the competition.