Difference between Wishful Thinking & achieving success, for me, has been persistence: Zainab Abbas
People judge women who are on tv and think they are at that position just because of their looks and not their talent
, 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:
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