Breaking barriers

Shahid Hashmi of AFP tells a stirring tale of two women who were rarely allowed to go out in public, overcame several societal barriers and yet made it to Pakistan’s women’s national cricket team. Armana Khan, one of them, says: "In an era when tolerance and equality are promoted in all sports, cricket give us girls a way to live freely."

But what of the men's side? In Dawn, Qamar Ahmed previews Pakistan's forthcoming series against England. Conquering Australia in familiar conditions is one thing, he says, but beating Pakistan in their own backyard could turn out to be a different kettle of fish.