Maria Toor Pakay becomes the first Pakistan-born woman ever to reach a British Open main draw

World number one Nicol David will have a surprising first round opponent when she begins her campaign to win back the British Open title here on Tuesday.

The legendary Malaysian will take on Maria Toor Pakay who became the first Pakistan-born woman ever to reach a British Open main draw after upsetting the seedings in the qualifying competition.

The 21-year-old left-hander from Peshawar overcame Emily Whitlock, the European junior champion, by 11-5, 4-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-7 in a 46-minute struggle which ended in the English player’s first defeat in any competition since January.

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I told you Pakistani women are badass. Proof - yet again. (via mehreenkasana)

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Pakistani Squash players Farhan and Aamir were very eager to keep the legacy of Hashim Khan, Azam Khan, Roshan Khan, Mo Khan, Qamar Zaman, Jahangir Khan, and Jansher Khan by winning the Gold.

Bravo to the Green Shirt Squash players!

Previously in sports; Women Cricket and Field Hockey. News item here.

Pakistan’s squash player Amir Atlas exults after beating world number one Gregory Gaultier of France during the Qatar Classic. It remained the high point for squash in the country which was barred from hosting any international events due to security reason. -Photo courtesy Squashsite.co.uk

Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Sports Pir Aftab Shah Jillani presenting Maria Toor with a cash award as her family looks on during a ceremony to reward top players on the national circuit in Islamabad. -Photo by APP

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news item: Female squash player from Waziristan defies the odds

Top Pakistani squash players Aamir Atlas Khan and Maria Toor have been nominated for Professional Squash Association Young Player of the Year and Women’s International Squash Players Association (WISPA) Young Player of the Year, respectively, by the World Squash Federation.

Both Aamir and Maria belong to the North West FrontierProvince, home also to Pakistan squash legends Jahangir and Jansher Khan, where they train amidst constant threats from the Taliban. While it has been a comparatively easy ride for Aamir, by virtue of being a male in a part of the country where residents adhere to strict Islamic law, for the 19-year-old Maria it has been a journey of immense courage and perseverance.

Growing up in South Waziristan, Maria was a very different girl, often getting into brawls with boys and generally being very dominating, some very unusual traits for women in NWFP. She was equally lucky to have an open-minded father who noticed his daughter’s sporting talent and ability and did not want it to go to waste.

‘I didn’t want her talent to go to waste,’ Shams-ul-Qayum Wazir said in an interview to CNN. ‘If I would’ve kept her in the village, all she could do was housekeeping,’ he added satisfied with his decision to pack up from South Waziristan and move to Peshawar in late 1999.

read more at DAWN.

Players in action during the opening match of 3rd Women National Squash Championship at Hyderabad Gymkhana, Pakistan–APP Photo.