About the film

When a knee injury ended his professional athletic career, Akhtar Zeb decided to share his love for the game of cricket with the students of Mashal Model School, a non-profit organization providing education to underprivileged children in the outskirts of Islamabad. The school serves an impoverished neighborhood near the shrine of Bari Imam where internally displaced Pakhtuns have relocated from remote areas impacted by natural disasters and violent conflict.

As Akhtar invites the neighborhood girls to form a cricket team, each of them experiences the freedom and confidence that come from participating in sports, but they have to weigh the joy of playing against the expectations of their families. Deeply held cultural values bring conflict for the girls, and the burdens of their young lives threaten their ability to practice and play the game.

At 14, Nazia is being pressured to marry her cousin; Haleema is tasked with helping her mother clean the house, cook for the family, and care for younger siblings; Wajeeha and Hajra wander the market selling sweets to help bring in enough money to support their families; and Zainab is expected to remain at home, unknown and unseen. Whether in the face of family pressure or community condemnation, the girls struggle and sacrifice for the right to play.

Coach Akhtar does his best to support the players in whatever way he can, seeing in each of them the potential of a champion. All will be tested when the team at Mashal is offered the chance to play a match against Khaldunia, one of the most exclusive private schools in Islamabad. Khaldunia offers a beautiful practice pitch, good equipment, and the leisure for extracurricular training. But Akhtar knows that cricket is a sport for those who have courage. His team is ready to try their skills, hard work, and luck against a formidable opponent. It’s more than just a game. It’s a match that changes many lives.