Zainab Abbas, born born February 14, 1988, is a famous Pakistani television host, sports presenter, commentator, and former makeup artist. She is known for her sport commentary and presenting.
Profile Summary
| Full Name: | Zainab Abbas |
| Date of Birth: | February 14, 1988 |
| Place of Birth: | Lahore, Pakistan |
| Nationality: | Pakistani |
| Occupation: | Sport presenter |
| Net Worth: | $5 million |
| Husband: | Hamza Kardar |
Early Life and Education
Zainab Abbas was born in the vibrant city of Lahore, Pakistan, into a family with diverse backgrounds; her father, Nasir Abbas, is a well-known domestic cricketer, and her mother, Andleeb Abbas, a prominent politician.
Her educational journey led her from Lahore to the United Kingdom, where she pursued her studies.
Zainab began her academic endeavors at Aston University in Birmingham, where she laid the foundation for her future. Continuing her quest for knowledge, she embarked on a remarkable journey, culminating in the achievement of an MBA specializing in Marketing and Strategy from the prestigious University of Warwick.
Her dedication to learning and determination to excel have been defining characteristics throughout her life.
Following her educational pursuits, Zainab Abbas gained invaluable professional experience.
She spent two years working at the renowned luxury brand Dolce & Gabbana, which allowed her to immerse herself in the world of high-end fashion.
Her time at Harrods, a world-famous luxury department store, provided her with insights and expertise in this exclusive industry. During this period, she honed her skills and developed a deep understanding of the market.
Zainab’s journey is a testament to her commitment to personal and professional growth, and her experiences have undoubtedly shaped her into the accomplished individual she is today.
Her father was a bowler who participated in the cricket teams of Faisalabad and Hafizabad, and he shared his college years with Ramiz Raja.
In contrast, her mother holds a prominent position in the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party, serving as a senior member and representing the National Assembly of Pakistan on a reserved seat for women from Punjab.
Furthermore, her mother was appointed as the Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Additionally, she worked as a journalist and covered several cricket events, including the 1999 World Cup.
Career
Abbas initially worked as a makeup artist with her own studio until 2015. In that year, she successfully auditioned to be a guest on a Dunya News show for the 2015 Cricket World Cup, alongside former national team players Saeed Ajmal and Imran Nazir.
This opportunity marked the beginning of her career as a cricket presenter and commentator.
Following this, she traveled to England as a correspondent for Dunya News to cover the Pakistan national cricket team during their 2016 tour. During her time in England, she was featured as a guest on BBC’s Test Match Special.
Upon her return, she secured a full-time contract to host her show, “Cricket Dewangi,” on Dunya News, which she did from 2016 to 2018. In addition to her hosting role, she also wrote sports articles for Pakistani independent news outlets Dawn and Dunya News.
From 2016 onward, Abbas became one of the presenters for the Pakistan Super League and the Abu Dhabi T10. She also had the opportunity to work with TEN Sports, Star Sports, and Sony for a period.
In late 2017, she hosted a web-series talk show called “Sawal Cricket Ka,” which consisted of seven episodes.
Between May 2018 and May 2019, she hosted 14 episodes of another web-series talk show, “Voice of Cricket,” on Cricingif. In both of these shows, she conducted interviews with various Pakistani cricketers.
Notably, in May 2019, Abbas became the first woman sports reporter and commentator to cover the ICC 2019 World Cup from Pakistan.
In July 2021, she made her debut on Sky Sports as part of the broadcasting team for the inaugural season of The Hundred, making her the first Pakistani female presenter to achieve this.
Abbas’s journey took her to India to cover the 2023 Cricket World Cup. However, her trip was cut short due to security concerns and controversy.
She faced criticism for resurfaced tweets in which she mocked Indian religious vegetarians and the Hindu goddess Kali, and as a result, she was either deported from the country or chose to leave voluntarily.
Zainab Abbas Net Worth
Zainab Abbas has an estimated net worth of $5 million, which she earned through her career as a sport presenter and commentator.
Zainab Abbas Husband
In November 2019, Zainab Abbas tied the knot with Hamza Kardar in Lahore. Hamza is the son of Shahid Hafeez Kardar, a former finance minister and former governor of the State Bank of Pakistan.
Shahid Hafeez Kardar is the son of Abdul Hafeez Kardar, who held the distinction of being the Pakistan cricket team’s first captain.
Zainab’s younger brother, Hussain Abbas Mirza, pursued a career as a fitness trainer. In February 2023, he joined Multan Sultans as their specialist in strength and conditioning for the 2023 PSL season.
Awards and Recognitions
During 2019, Abbas received the Sports TV Host of the Year award at the inaugural Pakistan Sports Awards.
Her influence continued to grow when, in July 2020, she earned a spot on the New York Press Agency’s list of the 100 most influential individuals in Asia, the UK, and the European Union.
Later, in October 2020, she was honored with an invitation to speak at the TedxLahoreWomen event.
