Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai became a world-wide inspiration when she miraculously survived a bullet to the head after taking on the Taliban aged 16.

Well, it turns out she was in Chester over the summer...watching cricket!

Malala, now 21, was supporting the Pakistan team in the Last Man Stands world series held at Chester Boughton Hall Cricket Club in August featuring 12 international sides.

As a child she spoke out against the Taliban when they said girls could no longer go to school after taking control of her town.

In her own words, she said: “In October 2012, on my way home from school, a masked gunman boarded my school bus and asked, ‘Who is Malala?’ He shot me on the left side of my head.

“I woke up 10 days later in a hospital in Birmingham, England. The doctors and nurses told me about the attack — and that people around the world were praying for my recovery.

“After months of surgeries and rehabilitation, I joined my family in our new home in the UK.
“It was then I knew I had a choice: I could live a quiet life or I could make the most of this new life I had been given. I determined to continue my fight until every girl could go to school,“ said Malala, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in December 2014 and is now studying at Oxford University but continues to fight for girls’ rights around the world.

Cricketer Hafijul Islam, 29, who is from Bangladesh but lives in Blacon, Chester, was delighted to have his picture taken with Malala when she turned up at Boughton Hall Cricket Club where he plays.

He described her as ‘polite and friendly’, adding: “I know Malala Yousafzai. She is a very famous person. She is involved with so many social organisations and social work, for example, women rights, education. I also like social work. I want democracy in Bangladesh, the right to vote and freedom of speech.

“I never thought I would meet with her in my cricket club but I was so happy at the time and I feel happy she likes cricket!”

Hafi agrees with Malala’s ideals. Back home, he has a sports academy in his name run by his father which provides free sports equipment and training as well. And the not-for-profit Muslem Uddin Foundation, in his father’s name, gives away free food and warm clothes to poor people during the winter.