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1 Oct 2023

Abtaha Maqsood gets Birmingham School Mural

Abtaha Maqsood gets Birmingham School Mural

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Outside of writing, Zarina loves art. Mastering in fine art, Zarina has always dreamed to create her own comic. She’s keen on contributing to the pool of representation for south Asians and hopes to create her own Pakistani female superhero one day.

Abtaha Maqsood gets Birmingham School Mural

A mural of Britain’s first hijab-wearing cricketer has been unveiled at a primary school in Birmingham.

Abtaha Maqsood visited Marlborough Primary School in an effort to encourage Muslim female athletes.

The painting was ordered to commemorate her securing a contract extension with the Birmingham Phoenix, who will compete in The Hundred tournament the following month.

Maqsood, 23, described seeing his face painted on the wall as a “surreal experience.”

On Monday, the cricketer went to the Small Heath school which has a large student population of Muslim girls, to witness the painting that graffiti artist Lucy Danielle had painted.

“I had no idea I had made such a large impression,” stated Maqsood.

About 75 schoolgirls from Leigh Trust’s schools saw her play cricket and participate in a Q&A; several of them told her it had been motivating to see someone play who “looked like them.”
Maqsood stated that there are some cultural barriers, particularly for South Asian girls who play sports.


“I didn’t encounter those obstacles very frequently, but I know for a fact that there is still that mentality out there that girls shouldn’t be playing cricket and they should stay at home – that’s why we need things like this to hopefully inspire as many people to go and live their dream,” the author said.

Abtaha Maqsood

I hope even if a handful at least start playing cricket then that’s a benefit for me,” she continued.

Maqsood also visited the Al Abbas Mosque in Balsall Heath.

Sajjad Gulamhusein, from the mosque, said: “Traditionally, cricket has predominantly been considered a male sport. Abtaha is an inspiration to girls who want to continue to wear hijab but also pursue sports at the highest level.”

As a Scottish native, Abtaha was scheduled to compete at the Commonwealth Games this summer in Birmingham, but Scotland was unable to advance.

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