North Waziristan youth freed by militants after abduction over viral girl cricketer video

PESHAWAR: A young man from North Waziristan who was reportedly abducted for sharing a viral video of a girl playing cricket in the region has been released, it emerged on Saturday.

The clip, showing eight-year-old Aina Wazir bowling confidently in her hometown, drew widespread attention across mainstream and social media platforms. However, the alleged abduction of the man who filmed and shared the footage sparked concern and debate in the area.

According to local police, Zafran Wazir was allegedly taken by unidentified individuals from the Shewa subdivision. During his captivity, a video surfaced online in which he described sharing the cricket clip as his “mistake” and said he was in the custody of unknown persons.

In the same recording, the abductors claimed that filming and circulating footage of a minor girl playing cricket was “against Islam and Pashtun traditions.”

Following negotiations by local tribal elders through a jirga, Zafran was safely recovered and returned home. Videos circulating on social media showed residents welcoming him with garlands and warm greetings.

District Police Officer Sajjad Hussain confirmed that the youth had reunited with his family and said investigations into the incident were ongoing.

Aina’s Talent Draws National Attention

Aina’s bowling skills had already become a topic of admiration in the region before the controversy. Her viral video caught the attention of Javed Afridi, owner of the Peshawar Zalmi franchise in the Pakistan Super League.

In a post on X, Afridi said that “talent like this deserves the right platform” and announced that Aina would be included in the upcoming Zalmi Women League—a platform aimed at encouraging girls to play, inspire and express their abilities.

“We will ensure she is provided with all necessary cricket equipment and proper facilities so she gets the opportunity she truly deserves to grow and shine and become the next Saira Jabeen,” he wrote.

The video also caught the attention of Faisal Karim Kundi, Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who described Aina’s skills as a reminder of the immense potential among the province’s youth. He expressed hope that she would receive proper encouragement, training, and institutional support to refine her talent.

In response, Aina pledged to work hard to one day represent Pakistan’s women’s cricket team and thanked Afridi for including her in the Zalmi Women League, calling it the “biggest moment” of her life.