Unveiling gender bias and selection politics in cricket, ‘Nayab’ trailer out now

The trailer for the Yumna Zaidi-starrer 'Nayab' was unveiled on Sunday, depicting the challenging journey of a woman cricketer navigating through a thorny path of gender bias and selection politics.

In 'Nayab,' Yumna Zaidi takes on the lead role as Nayab, a woman with a lifelong dream of becoming a cricketer but faces obstacles due to family and societal pressures.

Set in Karachi, the film also features Javed Sheikh, Adnan Siddiqui, Osama Khan, and Muhammad Fawad Khan alongside Faryal Mehmood.

Scheduled for release on January 26, 2024, the highly-anticipated film portrays Nayab's father, played by Javed Sheikh, opposing her cricket aspirations. 

On the other hand, Muhammad Fawad Khan portrays Nayab's supportive brother, guiding her from joining the cricket academy to making it into the national team.

The 2-minute and 43-second trailer unfolds with Nayab's brother seeking permission from their father to allow Nayab to join the women's cricket academy, but he refuses.

In the trailer, Nayab addresses her brother as Akka, expressing, “Akka, tum samajh nahi rahey ho puri zindagi gully cricket nahi khelni yeh national level ka trial hai, Akka. [Akka, you don't understand. You haven't played street cricket all your life; it's a national level trial, Akka]”

Actor Adnan Siddiqui appears to assume the role of the women's cricket team coach.

During cricket academy practice, a female player reveals to Nayab that selection for the national team isn't based on ability but rather on personal preference.

The trailer delves into various issues such as domestic challenges, politics in player selection at the cricket academy, and glimpses of Nayab's struggles with fellow players, ultimately culminating in her selection for the national team—a journey marked by numerous obstacles.

Closing with a powerful dialogue from Nayab, she asserts to her brother, "Akka tum dekhna main haraungi India ko [You will see, I will defeat India]"

Directed by Umair Nasir Ali, produced by Rumina Umair and Umair Irfani, most scenes  of 'Nayab' were captured in Karachi, several parts were also filmed in other cities, including Lahore.