Pakistani-origin Scottish cricketer says Babar Azam, Imran Khan her inspiration

Scottish leg spinner Abtaha Maqsood has expressed her excitement about playing in Pakistan, calling it a special moment for her.

Currently in Lahore for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier, the 25-year-old cricketer has represented Scotland in 8 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 57 T20 Internationals.

Speaking to a private news channel in Lahore, Abtaha Maqsood shared her feelings about being back in Pakistan. "My parents are from Lahore, and it feels great to be back here," she said.

She revealed that her passion for cricket was inspired by her father, who is a huge cricket fan: "Because of him, I developed an interest in cricket. I used to play with my brother and father in our home garden, and that's where my love for the game began."

"I have never played in Pakistan before. It has been eight years since I last visited, and meeting my relatives here has been wonderful. Getting the opportunity to play at Gaddafi Stadium is something very special for me," she added.

When asked about her role models, Abtaha named several cricketers who inspired her. "I have a few role models, and the king of spin, Shane Warne, is one of them. I watch his videos a lot. I am also a big fan of Imran Khan. He is a role model for me and my family," she stated.

Regarding her current goals, Abtaha emphasised the importance of qualifying for the World Cup. "Our biggest target right now is to qualify for the World Cup. That is why we are here—we want to play another World Cup," she said.

She also mentioned that she follows Pakistan cricket and has a favourite player on the team. "Of course, I watch Pakistan cricket. My favourite player at the moment is Babar Azam. He is an incredible batter," she added.