Srinagar, Dec 8: Two sisters from the Ajjar area of North Kashmir’s Bandipora district — Madiha Fayaz and Sania Fayaz — are fast emerging as promising talents in women’s cricket in Jammu and Kashmir, earning recognition through consistent performances, discipline, and sheer determination despite limited sports infrastructure.
For the past four years, the sisters have trained under challenging conditions, often practicing on makeshift grounds and arranging their own equipment. Their perseverance paid off recently when the Bandipora district women’s cricket teamlifted the Union Territory–level cricket tournament, led by captain Madiha Fayaz.
Coaches and teammates praised Madiha for her calm leadership style and focus on teamwork. Speaking to Kashmir News Trust, she said captaining the side taught her discipline and patience.
She recalled training early mornings before school and returning to practice late in the evenings — a routine she believes shaped her as a player and leader.
Her younger sister, Sania Fayaz, has become a dependable all-rounder for Bandipora, known for her consistency with both bat and ball. She said balancing studies, lack of proper facilities, and societal pressures posed challenges, but staying focused helped her push through.
Sania added that the constant support from their parents played a vital role, especially when choosing cricket as a career drew skepticism from some around them. Today, young girls from nearby villages seek guidance from the sisters — something she described as both motivating and a responsibility.
Both Madiha and Sania said their immediate aim is to break into the Jammu and Kashmir women’s team, with a long-term dream of representing India on the international stage. They hope their journey inspires more girls from rural areas to pursue sports confidently and without hesitation.
Locals and coaches in Bandipora have hailed the sisters’ achievements as a proud moment for the district. They believe that with continued support and structured training, the Fayaz sisters have the potential to rise to higher levels of competitive cricket.
