Going For a Six
Pakistan’s women athletes had their moment on the global stage in 2024. From squash to shooting prodigies, here are six of them who made headlines last year.
1. Kishmala Talat
Kishmala Talat
Kishmala Talat was the first-ever Pakistani woman to qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024 by winning a silver medal at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship in January 2024.
Unlike athletics and swimming, shooting requires contestants to directly qualify for a spot at the Olympics instead of competing through a wildcard entry. At the Paris Olympics, Talat finished 31st in the 10 m air pistol event, 22nd in the 25 m pistol event and 14th in the 10 m air pistol mixed team event with compatriot Gulfam Joseph.
The 22-year-old markswoman was ranked second best in Asia for 2024 in the 10 m air pistol event, up from fifth place in 2023. Her silver medal at the South Asian Games in 2019 earned her the coveted International Olympic Committee scholarship and in 2023, she clinched a bronze medal at the Asian Games 2022 in the 10 m air pistol.
2. Samar Khan
Samar Khan
Harsh winters don’t count when 34-year-old Samar Khan is in the mountains, and the adventure athlete literally climbed to greater heights in June 2024 when she became the first Pakistani woman to scale Europe’s highest peak, Mount Elbrus. And if that wasn’t cool enough, she snowboarded her way down after reaching the summit.
The world of firsts is where Khan thrives. In 2016, she became the first woman in the world to cycle on the 4,500 m Biafo Glacier in order to draw attention to Pakistan’s glaciers threatened by climate change. A year later, she became the first Pakistani to cycle on Mount Kilimanjaro, the ‘roof of Africa,’ as well as ascend the 6,250 m Burbucho peak in Shigar’s Arandu. After her climb, the peak was renamed Ghar e Samar (House of Samar) in her honour. In 2021, she became the first woman to reach the K2 base camp on a bicycle. Khan is also a Tedx speaker, a former goodwill ambassador for WWF Pakistan and a Pride of Pakistan recipient.
3. Saleema Imtiaz
Saleema Imtiaz
While she’s not an athlete, Saleema Imtiaz’s impact in the world of cricket was amplified after she became the first Pakistani woman nominated to the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) international panel of development umpires in September 2024. “This isn’t just a win for me – it’s a win for every aspiring female cricketer and umpire in Pakistan. I hope my success motivates countless women who dream of making their mark in the sport,” she said following the nomination. Imtiaz began her umpiring career with the PCB Women’s Umpires Panel in 2008 and is the mother of cricketer Kainat Imtiaz.
4. The Ali Sisters
Mahnoor, Mehwish and Sehrish Ali with their father
Pakistan’s success in women’s squash has become synonymous with the Ali sisters – Mehwish, Sehrish and Mahnoor. The trio had a whirlwind 2024 as they claimed international titles at nearly every tournament they competed at.
At the Australian Junior Open, Mehwish stormed to victory in the U-17 category while Mahnoor bagged the U-13 title over sister Sehrish, who picked up a bronze in April. The two younger sisters frequently compete in the same category. In June, Mahnoor took home a bittersweet victory over Sehrish when she claimed the U-13 title at the Penang Junior Open. Meanwhile, Mehwish added to the family’s medal tally with a bronze in the U-17 category. Mahnoor repeated the sibling showdown in September when she was crowned the U-13 champion over Sehrish at the Danish Junior Open, while Mehwish picked up a bronze in the U-17.
The trio continued their dominance in the European Junior Circuit at the Hungary Junior Open in October. Mehwish bagged the U-17 gold, as did Mahnoor in the U-13 category. Sehrish levelled up and played in the U-15 category, claiming silver. Mahnoor wrapped up 2024 on a high note when she claimed the U-13 title at the prestigious US Junior Open in December, remaining undefeated throughout the tournament, which featured more than 1,200 athletes from 40 countries. As of December 18, Mahnoor was ranked second in the Asian U-13, while Sehrish calimed 11th place in the same category. Mehwish ended the year at the 26th ranking in the U-17 continental ranking.
On the domestic front, the trio divvied up the last of the annual rankings among themselves. Mehwish topped the U-19 women’s ranking, while Sehrish claimed the top spot in the U-15 ahead of Mahnoor. But the 11-year-old had her moment in the limelight when she became number one in Pakistan in the Open category. Mehwish trailed in second and Sehrish stood at fifth place.
Anushe Engineer is a journalist at Dawn.
anusheengineer@gmail.com
women in sports female sports personalities pakistan athletes anushe engineer Support for young athletes in Pakistan Gen Z sports interests Kishmala Talat Samar Khan Saleema Imtiaz The Ali Sisters Mehwish Ali Sehrish Ali Mahnoor Ali
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Kishmala Talat was the first-ever Pakistani woman to qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024 by winning a silver medal at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship in January 2024.
Unlike athletics and swimming, shooting requires contestants to directly qualify for a spot at the Olympics instead of competing through a wildcard entry. At the Paris Olympics, Talat finished 31st in the 10 m air pistol event, 22nd in the 25 m pistol event and 14th in the 10 m air pistol mixed team event with compatriot Gulfam Joseph.
The 22-year-old markswoman was ranked second best in Asia for 2024 in the 10 m air pistol event, up from fifth place in 2023. Her silver medal at the South Asian Games in 2019 earned her the coveted International Olympic Committee scholarship and in 2023, she clinched a bronze medal at the Asian Games 2022 in the 10 m air pistol.
2. Samar Khan
Samar Khan
Harsh winters don’t count when 34-year-old Samar Khan is in the mountains, and the adventure athlete literally climbed to greater heights in June 2024 when she became the first Pakistani woman to scale Europe’s highest peak, Mount Elbrus. And if that wasn’t cool enough, she snowboarded her way down after reaching the summit.
The world of firsts is where Khan thrives. In 2016, she became the first woman in the world to cycle on the 4,500 m Biafo Glacier in order to draw attention to Pakistan’s glaciers threatened by climate change. A year later, she became the first Pakistani to cycle on Mount Kilimanjaro, the ‘roof of Africa,’ as well as ascend the 6,250 m Burbucho peak in Shigar’s Arandu. After her climb, the peak was renamed Ghar e Samar (House of Samar) in her honour. In 2021, she became the first woman to reach the K2 base camp on a bicycle. Khan is also a Tedx speaker, a former goodwill ambassador for WWF Pakistan and a Pride of Pakistan recipient.
3. Saleema Imtiaz
Saleema Imtiaz
While she’s not an athlete, Saleema Imtiaz’s impact in the world of cricket was amplified after she became the first Pakistani woman nominated to the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) international panel of development umpires in September 2024. “This isn’t just a win for me – it’s a win for every aspiring female cricketer and umpire in Pakistan. I hope my success motivates countless women who dream of making their mark in the sport,” she said following the nomination. Imtiaz began her umpiring career with the PCB Women’s Umpires Panel in 2008 and is the mother of cricketer Kainat Imtiaz.
4. The Ali Sisters
Mahnoor, Mehwish and Sehrish Ali with their father
Pakistan’s success in women’s squash has become synonymous with the Ali sisters – Mehwish, Sehrish and Mahnoor. The trio had a whirlwind 2024 as they claimed international titles at nearly every tournament they competed at.
At the Australian Junior Open, Mehwish stormed to victory in the U-17 category while Mahnoor bagged the U-13 title over sister Sehrish, who picked up a bronze in April. The two younger sisters frequently compete in the same category. In June, Mahnoor took home a bittersweet victory over Sehrish when she claimed the U-13 title at the Penang Junior Open. Meanwhile, Mehwish added to the family’s medal tally with a bronze in the U-17 category. Mahnoor repeated the sibling showdown in September when she was crowned the U-13 champion over Sehrish at the Danish Junior Open, while Mehwish picked up a bronze in the U-17.
The trio continued their dominance in the European Junior Circuit at the Hungary Junior Open in October. Mehwish bagged the U-17 gold, as did Mahnoor in the U-13 category. Sehrish levelled up and played in the U-15 category, claiming silver. Mahnoor wrapped up 2024 on a high note when she claimed the U-13 title at the prestigious US Junior Open in December, remaining undefeated throughout the tournament, which featured more than 1,200 athletes from 40 countries. As of December 18, Mahnoor was ranked second in the Asian U-13, while Sehrish calimed 11th place in the same category. Mehwish ended the year at the 26th ranking in the U-17 continental ranking.
On the domestic front, the trio divvied up the last of the annual rankings among themselves. Mehwish topped the U-19 women’s ranking, while Sehrish claimed the top spot in the U-15 ahead of Mahnoor. But the 11-year-old had her moment in the limelight when she became number one in Pakistan in the Open category. Mehwish trailed in second and Sehrish stood at fifth place.
Anushe Engineer is a journalist at Dawn.
anusheengineer@gmail.com
women in sports female sports personalities pakistan athletes anushe engineer Support for young athletes in Pakistan Gen Z sports interests Kishmala Talat Samar Khan Saleema Imtiaz The Ali Sisters Mehwish Ali Sehrish Ali Mahnoor Ali
Email
Harsh winters don’t count when 34-year-old Samar Khan is in the mountains, and the adventure athlete literally climbed to greater heights in June 2024 when she became the first Pakistani woman to scale Europe’s highest peak, Mount Elbrus. And if that wasn’t cool enough, she snowboarded her way down after reaching the summit.
The world of firsts is where Khan thrives. In 2016, she became the first woman in the world to cycle on the 4,500 m Biafo Glacier in order to draw attention to Pakistan’s glaciers threatened by climate change. A year later, she became the first Pakistani to cycle on Mount Kilimanjaro, the ‘roof of Africa,’ as well as ascend the 6,250 m Burbucho peak in Shigar’s Arandu. After her climb, the peak was renamed Ghar e Samar (House of Samar) in her honour. In 2021, she became the first woman to reach the K2 base camp on a bicycle. Khan is also a Tedx speaker, a former goodwill ambassador for WWF Pakistan and a Pride of Pakistan recipient.
3. Saleema Imtiaz
Saleema Imtiaz
While she’s not an athlete, Saleema Imtiaz’s impact in the world of cricket was amplified after she became the first Pakistani woman nominated to the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) international panel of development umpires in September 2024. “This isn’t just a win for me – it’s a win for every aspiring female cricketer and umpire in Pakistan. I hope my success motivates countless women who dream of making their mark in the sport,” she said following the nomination. Imtiaz began her umpiring career with the PCB Women’s Umpires Panel in 2008 and is the mother of cricketer Kainat Imtiaz.
4. The Ali Sisters
Mahnoor, Mehwish and Sehrish Ali with their father
Pakistan’s success in women’s squash has become synonymous with the Ali sisters – Mehwish, Sehrish and Mahnoor. The trio had a whirlwind 2024 as they claimed international titles at nearly every tournament they competed at.
At the Australian Junior Open, Mehwish stormed to victory in the U-17 category while Mahnoor bagged the U-13 title over sister Sehrish, who picked up a bronze in April. The two younger sisters frequently compete in the same category. In June, Mahnoor took home a bittersweet victory over Sehrish when she claimed the U-13 title at the Penang Junior Open. Meanwhile, Mehwish added to the family’s medal tally with a bronze in the U-17 category. Mahnoor repeated the sibling showdown in September when she was crowned the U-13 champion over Sehrish at the Danish Junior Open, while Mehwish picked up a bronze in the U-17.
The trio continued their dominance in the European Junior Circuit at the Hungary Junior Open in October. Mehwish bagged the U-17 gold, as did Mahnoor in the U-13 category. Sehrish levelled up and played in the U-15 category, claiming silver. Mahnoor wrapped up 2024 on a high note when she claimed the U-13 title at the prestigious US Junior Open in December, remaining undefeated throughout the tournament, which featured more than 1,200 athletes from 40 countries. As of December 18, Mahnoor was ranked second in the Asian U-13, while Sehrish calimed 11th place in the same category. Mehwish ended the year at the 26th ranking in the U-17 continental ranking.
On the domestic front, the trio divvied up the last of the annual rankings among themselves. Mehwish topped the U-19 women’s ranking, while Sehrish claimed the top spot in the U-15 ahead of Mahnoor. But the 11-year-old had her moment in the limelight when she became number one in Pakistan in the Open category. Mehwish trailed in second and Sehrish stood at fifth place.
Anushe Engineer is a journalist at Dawn.
anusheengineer@gmail.com
women in sports female sports personalities pakistan athletes anushe engineer Support for young athletes in Pakistan Gen Z sports interests Kishmala Talat Samar Khan Saleema Imtiaz The Ali Sisters Mehwish Ali Sehrish Ali Mahnoor Ali
Email
While she’s not an athlete, Saleema Imtiaz’s impact in the world of cricket was amplified after she became the first Pakistani woman nominated to the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) international panel of development umpires in September 2024. “This isn’t just a win for me – it’s a win for every aspiring female cricketer and umpire in Pakistan. I hope my success motivates countless women who dream of making their mark in the sport,” she said following the nomination. Imtiaz began her umpiring career with the PCB Women’s Umpires Panel in 2008 and is the mother of cricketer Kainat Imtiaz.
4. The Ali Sisters
Mahnoor, Mehwish and Sehrish Ali with their father
Pakistan’s success in women’s squash has become synonymous with the Ali sisters – Mehwish, Sehrish and Mahnoor. The trio had a whirlwind 2024 as they claimed international titles at nearly every tournament they competed at.
At the Australian Junior Open, Mehwish stormed to victory in the U-17 category while Mahnoor bagged the U-13 title over sister Sehrish, who picked up a bronze in April. The two younger sisters frequently compete in the same category. In June, Mahnoor took home a bittersweet victory over Sehrish when she claimed the U-13 title at the Penang Junior Open. Meanwhile, Mehwish added to the family’s medal tally with a bronze in the U-17 category. Mahnoor repeated the sibling showdown in September when she was crowned the U-13 champion over Sehrish at the Danish Junior Open, while Mehwish picked up a bronze in the U-17.
The trio continued their dominance in the European Junior Circuit at the Hungary Junior Open in October. Mehwish bagged the U-17 gold, as did Mahnoor in the U-13 category. Sehrish levelled up and played in the U-15 category, claiming silver. Mahnoor wrapped up 2024 on a high note when she claimed the U-13 title at the prestigious US Junior Open in December, remaining undefeated throughout the tournament, which featured more than 1,200 athletes from 40 countries. As of December 18, Mahnoor was ranked second in the Asian U-13, while Sehrish calimed 11th place in the same category. Mehwish ended the year at the 26th ranking in the U-17 continental ranking.
On the domestic front, the trio divvied up the last of the annual rankings among themselves. Mehwish topped the U-19 women’s ranking, while Sehrish claimed the top spot in the U-15 ahead of Mahnoor. But the 11-year-old had her moment in the limelight when she became number one in Pakistan in the Open category. Mehwish trailed in second and Sehrish stood at fifth place.
Anushe Engineer is a journalist at Dawn.
anusheengineer@gmail.com
women in sports female sports personalities pakistan athletes anushe engineer Support for young athletes in Pakistan Gen Z sports interests Kishmala Talat Samar Khan Saleema Imtiaz The Ali Sisters Mehwish Ali Sehrish Ali Mahnoor Ali
Email
Pakistan’s success in women’s squash has become synonymous with the Ali sisters – Mehwish, Sehrish and Mahnoor. The trio had a whirlwind 2024 as they claimed international titles at nearly every tournament they competed at.
At the Australian Junior Open, Mehwish stormed to victory in the U-17 category while Mahnoor bagged the U-13 title over sister Sehrish, who picked up a bronze in April. The two younger sisters frequently compete in the same category. In June, Mahnoor took home a bittersweet victory over Sehrish when she claimed the U-13 title at the Penang Junior Open. Meanwhile, Mehwish added to the family’s medal tally with a bronze in the U-17 category. Mahnoor repeated the sibling showdown in September when she was crowned the U-13 champion over Sehrish at the Danish Junior Open, while Mehwish picked up a bronze in the U-17.
The trio continued their dominance in the European Junior Circuit at the Hungary Junior Open in October. Mehwish bagged the U-17 gold, as did Mahnoor in the U-13 category. Sehrish levelled up and played in the U-15 category, claiming silver. Mahnoor wrapped up 2024 on a high note when she claimed the U-13 title at the prestigious US Junior Open in December, remaining undefeated throughout the tournament, which featured more than 1,200 athletes from 40 countries. As of December 18, Mahnoor was ranked second in the Asian U-13, while Sehrish calimed 11th place in the same category. Mehwish ended the year at the 26th ranking in the U-17 continental ranking.
On the domestic front, the trio divvied up the last of the annual rankings among themselves. Mehwish topped the U-19 women’s ranking, while Sehrish claimed the top spot in the U-15 ahead of Mahnoor. But the 11-year-old had her moment in the limelight when she became number one in Pakistan in the Open category. Mehwish trailed in second and Sehrish stood at fifth place.
Anushe Engineer is a journalist at Dawn.
anusheengineer@gmail.com
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