Lahore : April 3, 2026: From playing cricket on the rooftop with her brother to leading Pakistan U19 to a historic series win, Eman Naseer’s journey reflects resilience, growth and an unwavering passion for the game. In a interview, Eman Naseer, shared her long struggle to reach to a level to represent Pakistan as caption of U-19 cricket team. Her successful story is a roadmap for new cricketers of Pakistan. Both male and female young cricketers of Pakistan can learn from Eman’s rise in Pakistan’s cricket and make their way to Pakistan’s team.
Islamabad-born batting all-rounder developed an early love for cricket. “I belong to Islamabad and developed a passion for cricket from a very young age, initially playing with my brother and cousins,” Eman said. “My brother supported me a lot in the beginning and that encouragement helped me take cricket seriously.”
Balancing studies with cricket was not easy in the early stages of her career. “Managing studies and cricket together was very challenging at the start, especially during my 10th class, but passion kept me going,” she added.
Eman’s rise through the ranks has been a story of learning from setbacks. After featuring in the National Women’s U19 T20 Tournament in 2024 for Strikers, she returned stronger in the 2025 edition, representing Conquerors and finishing seventh on the batting charts.
Reflecting on her early struggles, the 19-year-old said, “My first domestic tournament was not up to expectations, but it helped me realise the level of hard work required to succeed.”
Her breakthrough moment came when she captained Pakistan U19 on the tour to Bangladesh in December 2025, where she led the team to a 3-2 series win while also finishing as the leading run-scorer in the series.
“Winning a series for Pakistan as captain was one of the most memorable moments of my life. Our team’s unity, fearless approach and positive intent were key factors behind our success.”
Eman credited her growth to continuous learning and observation. “I observed other players closely, learned from them and built a routine for myself to reach that level and represent Pakistan.”
The transition from age-group to higher levels of cricket has also been a learning curve. Having represented Pakistan ‘A’ in the ACC Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 and currently featuring for Challengers in the ongoing National Women’s T20 Tournament in Lahore, Eman highlighted the increasing demands of competitive cricket. “There is a big difference between U19 and domestic cricket; at the higher level, you get fewer chances and need better game awareness.”
Eman was part of the senior players’ camp held in Lahore last month. Sharing her experience, she said, “The camp helped me understand the lifestyle, fitness standards and mindset required at the international level. After the camp, my confidence improved and I started believing more in my abilities.”
Despite the challenges along the way, Eman remains focused on her long-term goals. “Since the beginning, my goal has been to win matches for Pakistan, especially in tough situations.”
Eman credited Fatima Sana as a key influence on her development, saying she admires the all-rounder’s leadership qualities and her ability to lead from the front. “Fatima Sana always performs exceptionally as a captain and gives confidence to the team. As youngsters, we learn a lot from her as she is positive, fearless and always supportive whenever we approach her.”
As a young cricketer who has already experienced leadership at the international level, Eman also had a message for aspiring players. “My message to young girls is to keep working hard, opportunities will come and you must be ready to make the most of them
