World news story

Howzat?! British High Commission cricket team play Chevening Alumni Scholars to mark the return of the England men’s Test cricket team to Pakistan

On Saturday 10 December, the British High Commission (BHC) and Chevening Alumni Association cricket teams played a friendly T-15 match to celebrate the return of the England Men’s Test cricket team to Pakistan.

From:
British High Commission Islamabad and British Deputy High Commission Karachi
Published
13 December 2022
Howzat?! British High Commission cricket team play Chevening Alumni Scholars to mark the return of the England men’s Test cricket team to Pakistan

Inspired by the ongoing England vs Pakistan cricket saga and a revival in sports diplomacy, the BHC Staff and former Chevening scholars swapped their daily routine for a limited-over and mixed gender contest of bat and ball at Shalimar Margallah Ground, Islamabad. The Chevening team batted first and set a target of 135 runs to chase. The BHC team chased down the target and won the match by 6 wickets.

Former Pakistani Test Captain Majid Khan, Inspector General Police, Islamabad Akbar Nasir Khan, Deputy Commissioner, Islamabad, Irfan Memon and Deputy Director Provincial Disaster Management Authority, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Lubna Shahzaman along with prominent journalists, civil society activists and civil servants watched the game.

This year to mark the 75 year anniversary of UK-Pakistan relations, the UK is awarding 75 Chevening scholarships. Whilst applications for 2023/2024 Chevening Scholarships are now closed, applications for 2024/25 scholarships will open in August 2023 and will be advertised on the Chevening website. All those looking to study for a master’s degree in the UK and who hold an undergraduate degree, are encouraged to apply, and especially women and individuals with disabilities. The UK’s efforts to increase inclusivity in all fields in Pakistan during the past few years have successfully raised the number of women winning Chevening scholarships from 6% to 60%, with students with disabilities also a part of the cohort.

The British Deputy High Commissioner, Andrew Dalgleish, said the following:

It was great meeting Chevening Alumni at today’s cricket match and seeing women compete. Sport has a unique way in bringing people together and plays a major role in progressing gender equality by opening up new opportunities and unlocking talent.

Talking about the Chevening Scholarships Andrew added:

Educated women leaders are essential to resolve the daunting economic, social and environmental challenges the world faces today. The UK’s efforts to increase gender inclusivity will encourage more women to apply for Chevening Scholarships in future. I believe the Chevening Alumni I have met today and those of the future, will play a vital role in transforming Pakistan’s future as leaders, opinion formers and policymakers.

Deputy Commissioner IRS, Federal Board of Revenue Farah Khan, while representing the Chevening Alumni Association Pakistan said:

From trade to sports to education, UK-Pakistan dosti is stronger than ever. As a Chevening alumna and a successful career woman, I encourage all Pakistani women to apply next year and play their role in promoting gender inclusivity, reducing poverty and developing climate resilience.

Notes to editors

  • Chevening Scholarships are the UK Government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), partner organisations, and partner universities. The scholarships support study at UK universities – mostly one year taught master’s degrees – for individuals with demonstrable potential to become future leaders, decision-makers, and opinion formers.
  • Chevening began in 1983 and has developed into a prestigious international awards scheme. Chevening Scholars come from over 160 countries and territories worldwide, and over the past five years we have awarded almost 10,000 scholarships. There are over 50,000 Chevening Alumni around the world who comprise an influential and highly regarded global network.
  • Pakistan is home to 2000 Chevening and over 10,000 UK alumni.
  • The UK is a strong proponent of girls education and in the last three years, around 60% of the Chevening scholars have been women, with differently abled students also a part of the cohort.
  • In 2018, the British High Commission launched Chevening mentoring scheme which is an alumni-led initiative designed to support women and minorities. 80% of the beneficiaries were women while the other 20% were religious minorities.
  • Prominent Chevening female alumni include: Amna Zamir Shah, the first female judge in Gilgit-Baltistan High Court; Abia Akram, Chairperson Special Talent Exchange Programme (STEP); Fifi Haroon, a senior journalist; Yasmeen Rehman, former Member of the National Assembly; and Asiya Nasir and Nafeesa Shah who are both former Members of the National Assembly of Pakistan.

For updates on the British High Commission, please follow our social media channels:

Contact
British High Commission
Islamabad
tel. 0300 500 5306

Published 13 December 2022