Aadil Abdullah
The sisters have spent the last four years training under challenging conditions, often practicing on makeshift grounds and arranging equipment on their own. Their efforts bore fruit recently when the Bandipora district women’s team clinched the Union Territory-level cricket tournament under the captaincy of Madiha Fayaz.
Madiha’s leadership during the tournament drew appreciation from coaches and teammates alike, who credited her calm approach and emphasis on teamwork for the team’s success. She told that the journey as a captain taught her discipline and patience, recalling how she often trained early in the mornings before school and continued practice late into the evenings.
Her younger sister, Sania Fayaz, has emerged as a dependable all-rounder for the district side. Known for her consistency with both bat and ball, Sania said staying focused was key to overcoming challenges such as balancing academics with sport and coping with the lack of proper infrastructure.
She said the encouragement of their parents played a crucial role in sustaining their motivation, especially during periods when pursuing cricket drew skepticism from people around them. Sania added that young girls from nearby areas now approach them for guidance, which she described as a source of motivation and responsibility.
Both sisters said their immediate goal is to earn selection in the Jammu and Kashmir women’s team, with a longer-term aspiration of representing India. They also expressed hope that their journey would encourage more girls from rural areas to take up sports with confidence.
Locals and coaches in Bandipora have described the sisters’ achievements as a proud moment for the area, expressing optimism that with sustained support and structured training, they could progress to higher levels of the game.
