Zainab Abbas, the leading analyst and well-known critic of International Cricket, from Pakistan says one must remember that there are no shortcuts for achieving success in life. She stepped in the field of media-industry as a make-up artist and no sooner availed the opportunity to host a T-10 League in 2017. Capturing massive attention in cricket commentary; thereby, Zainab bagged the title of “The National Lucky Charm” paving-off her path for future presentations in the paragon of global cricket commentary.
She describes herself adrifted. After completing her Master’s degree in Marketing from University of Warwick, she was oblivious of any peculiar idea with reference to career-orientation in her life. Amidst the havoc of professional perplexity, Zainab worked in Caterpillar for a year and soon realized was not cut-out for a nine-to-five job. Coming from a diverse and creative back-ground, her passion of giving the hundred percent in any chosen field, ultimately brought her to cricket-commentary after humble beginnings from make-up art and TV-hosting.
Zainab, in her candid conversation with The Nation on March, 09 2021 at her residence in Lahore, highlighted a series of stellar experiences featuring her personal and professional life. Here is the exclusive interview of the celebrity super-star:
Tell us about your early life. What were your childhood interests that you think brought you to this diverse field?
I think when I was growing up, I was always into sports. I grew up in a house-hold with a lot of male presence which sort of toughened me up, as a young-girl at a very early stage. I have a lot of memories from my childhood with my cousins and that is where my interest in sports and in cricket, predominantly grew. Whenever there was a match, it used to be a festive occasion in the house. My father also played first class-cricket, he and Rameez Raja grew up together in college and many of the cricketers used to come over at our place. It was a natural inclination. Even my mother, although she belongs to a very diverse field, yet she held a great interest in sports. She also played cricket back in her college and covered the world cup of 1999 for a magazine. So it was in my genes. And by that time, my interest in cricket had become my passion. It was a natural calling and that’s when I realized I had passion for cricket.
You are an all-rounder, you started your career as a make-up artist, then became cricketer and now a sports anchor, tell us about the drive and transformation of passion that ultimately brought you to this field.
I did my master's degree in marketing from the University of Warwick. At that time, I was kind of lost in terms of what to do with my life. I have worked at an engineering firm, Caterpillar, for a year. Doing that I realised that I don't want to do a nine to five job, so I started looking into other options that I was interested in. Beauty was one of the aspects that I was interested in because I have always been a creative kid. I was good with aesthetics. Beauty fascinated me in terms of the power of transforming people by giving them happiness. Along with that, I was also very interested in cricket because it has always been very close to me and I was very passionate about it.
My parents really encouraged me in terms of doing whatever I liked by making sure I give my hundred percent in it.
I then started a beauty business. I had gained experience in this field since the time I was in England by working in beauty departments. With the support of my parents, I took my first step in this career. I covered London Fashion Week and started making a good name in that field. But just then, I came across a sport-commentary based job at Lahore-based private media house in 2014, on my mother’s encouragement, I went on to audition and got selected. That’s when it all started! Because I was so naturally inclined towards it, it helped me represent myself at bigger stages as well.
Who has been your inspiration throughout the incredible journey of bagging accomplishments? Whom do you adore the most?
My mother, primarily. I think when kids come up with unique and creative ideas in terms of what they want to do as a parent, one encourages them. My parents never pushed me in bankable fields, like banking, engineering, medicine and teaching. My mother was always very encouraging. Despite giving her random ideas, she would always appreciate my interests. She has been a working woman, and throughout her life has been inspiring me.
The other inspiration comes from my professional life, it was my first boss Bilal Afzal who saw something in me. He allowed me to try different things while working for his news channel. I covered PSL for PCB due to his encouragement. He gave me a month-off in order to carry out my professional conduct efficiently.
How far, do you think people of Pakistan support and recognise art, and cricket as professions?
When I entered this field there were not many females around because no one really took it seriously. People judge women who are on tv and think they are at that position just because of their looks and not their talent. Certainly, the time has evolved and there are more females entering this field based on their knowledge. We have role models like Sana Mir, Kulsoom Hazara, Samina Baig and even myself who encourage females in this field.
Winning highest accolades for the country with lesser allocated resources for sports, specifically for female cricketers, what role-play do you think the sports board could play in terms of facilitating sport-persons?
Yes, it has a massive role to play. First of all, they need to provide them with the right accessible facilities. For example, if there is a girl from Larkana, playing cricket and chasing her interest is going to be way more difficult than a girl from Lahore. The board needs to provide funding, helping them with financial support, making more grounds accessible, spreading awareness about encouraging initiatives to bring more talent to the pitch. It has to play a role of challenging the mindset. Board has a very positive role to play in terms of facilitating the players. It is more like making a whole complete structure, executing the plans and visions to provide them with opportunities.
Please tell us about how you spend a typical day? Do you still take out time to practice new make-up trends, or work-out for specific hours in a day?
Make-up is something which is very natural for me as it was always a passion and all the courses that I had done, I enjoyed them all. I do my make-up in a moving car, I do it for myself on a daily basis. And I am very particular about physical exercise, while I work it becomes difficult to carry it out regularly, but I take special care of my diet. I prefer eating healthy and fresh food.
Please tell us about your favourite cricket team of PSL and what makes it your favourite?
A very tough one! This would sound very diplomatic and politically correct, but I think all teams add their unique flavour to PSL every year. Every team has its own traits and characteristics. Karachi is so vibrant, and Karachi Kings bring a lot of energy and colour to the ground. Zalmi brings a very deep-rooted, Peshawari zeal to the pitch whereas Quetta is Quetta! Islamabad is the most successful team of PSL. But I think, because I am from Lahore, I have a soft-spot for Lahore Qalanders. Although they have not won until now, they have a good team this year.
As your mother is a politician, and father has been a cricketer please tell us how far do you think the professions of your parents influenced your career preferences?
I am not interested in politics at all. I have no inclinations with politics, as it is completely different to what my interests are. And for my father, I am living his dreams. He wanted to be a cricketer but due to some unforeseen circumstances, so for him, I am fulfilling the unachieved goal of his life. My parents are extremely happy and in their own ways, they have ingrained their personalities in me which ultimately became the reason for taking this profession seriously.
What is your message to the young aspirants of cricket, make-up art and hosting?
My message to them is there are no short-cuts in life, I have had to struggle really hard after I got the first opportunity. The first opportunity is always the greatest one as you sort of put your foot through the door. It is actually more difficult after that because you have to then find your way. On becoming a public figure, it also has got its own challenges. You have to be very thick-skinned and more importantly persistent. Difference between wishful thinking and achieving success is persistence. So no short-cuts in life, be passionate about what you are doing.
Please tell us about your future goals?
I had to work for the coverage of world cup 2019, and I already achieved it! Now I think I am working to maintain the sustainability and persistence on what I am doing.
Watch complete exclusive video-interview here: