Dr Samara Afzal
By creo
One of the first Asian women to play county cricket, she represented Warwickshire in 2003/04 and continues to share her love for the game as an ECB Level 1 coach, supporting girls’ cricket at her local club whenever she can.
Dedicated to making a difference both on and off the field, Samara has worked with the National Asian Cricket Council to launch a pioneering project encouraging South Asian women to play cricket for their physical and mental wellbeing. She also volunteers with the Shahid Afridi Foundation, raising funds for those in need through cricket-led charity events.
Her outstanding contributions during the Covid pandemic were recognised by ITV Central on International Women’s Day, where she was named among six women leading the fight against Covid. She also received the ECB’s “Raise the Bat” award and has supported the ICC’s preparations for the Cricket World Cup.
Driven by her belief in equality and opportunity for all, Samara is passionate about using cricket to inspire and empower communities.