Abtaha Maqsood is going playing the World Cup for the first time, fulfill her dream; From Taekwondo player to dentist and then cricketer

I never thought that I would play a World Cup, but now not only my dream but the dream of all my fellow players is going to get fulfilled", saying this Scotland's women cricketer and leg-spinner Abtaha Maqsood gets emotional. Actually, Scotland's team has qualified for the first time to the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, which is going to be held in the United Arab Emirates starting from 3 October 2024. The Scotland team will be appearing in an ICC tournament for the first time.

Scotland's national team defeated Ireland in the semi-finals of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier. With this win, Scotland got a ticket to the World Cup. On Thursday, Abtaha Maqsood played an important role in Scotland's victory and took one wicket for 17 runs in three overs. Abtaha has played 53 T20 matches for Scotland so far and taken 54 wickets. She is 25 years old.

Abtaha essentially belongs to Pakistan, which shifted to Scotland several years ago. Abtaha started her career as a Taekwondo player. She has represented the Taekwondo event for Scotland in the 2014 Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow. Abtaha being very into studies chose to be a dentist. She chose cricket because in her family everyone likes it too.

Abtaha plays cricket wearing a hijab and because of this she remains in the headlines. Even though she was born in Scotland, she follows her religious customs. Her videos go viral on social media.

Abtaha said, initially I started playing cricket only as a hobby, but after this I started enjoying it. Our team has been trying for the last 10 years to play in the World Cup. I cannot believe that we will play against the big teams of the world. Our entire team is excited to play in the World Cup.