Pakistan U19 captain Eman Naseer has detailed her challenging path from an underwhelming domestic debut to leading the national side to a historic series victory, attributing her success to resilience, observational learning, and the inspiration drawn from senior players.
Pakistan Cricket Board informed today the Islamabad-born batting all-rounder recently skippered the U19 team to a 3-2 series win in Bangladesh in December 2025, a tour where she also distinguished herself as the leading run-scorer. ‘Winning a series for Pakistan as captain was one of the most memorable moments of my life,’ Naseer stated. ‘Our team’s unity, fearless approach and positive intent were key factors behind our success.’
However, her ascent was not without significant hurdles. Reflecting on her initial foray into competitive cricket, the 19-year-old acknowledged a difficult start. ‘My first domestic tournament was not up to expectations, but it helped me realise the level of hard work required to succeed,’ she said, referencing her 2024 appearance for the Strikers in the National Women’s U19 T20 Tournament.
Naseer’s passion for cricket began at a young age, playing on the rooftop with her brother and cousins. ‘My brother supported me a lot in the beginning and that encouragement helped me take cricket seriously,’ she recalled. This dedication was tested early on as she juggled sport and education. ‘Managing studies and cricket together was very challenging at the start, especially during my 10th class, but passion kept me going.’
Demonstrating significant improvement, she returned to the domestic U19 tournament in 2025 with the Conquerors, finishing seventh on the batting charts and solidifying her comeback.
The young captain has since progressed to higher levels, representing Pakistan ‘A’ in the ACC Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 and currently playing for Challengers in the National Women’s T20 Tournament. She noted the steep learning curve, explaining, ‘There is a big difference between U19 and domestic cricket; at the higher level, you get fewer chances and need better game awareness.’
A recent senior players’ camp in Lahore provided further insight into the demands of top-tier cricket. ‘The camp helped me understand the lifestyle, fitness standards and mindset required at the international level,’ Naseer shared. ‘After the camp, my confidence improved and I started believing more in my abilities.’
Naseer identified senior all-rounder Fatima Sana as a major influence, admiring 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.’
With a clear ambition ‘to win matches for Pakistan, especially in tough situations,’ Naseer offered a message for the next generation of 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.’