Pakistan women's football team striker Shahlyla Ahmadzai Baloch met with an unfortunate car accident that claimed her life. Her family later confirmed about the sad demise of the star striker.
The 20-year-old was the rising star of Pakistani women's football and was the first female Pakistani ever to score a hat-trick at senior level. Shahlyla was a striker who played for Balochistan United Football Club in the domestic circuit.
As reported, initial investigation suggested that she was sitting in the passenger seat of the car. The car met with the accident in Karachi's DHA Phase VIII area. According to The Express Tribune, a family member confirmed the news.
“It is true that she passed away,” the family member said before adding, “she was traveling in the passenger seat, and the car slid.”
Speaking to Dawn, Saqib Iqbal Memon, the Senior Superintendent Police (SP) South said, “Fadeian Baloch was coming from ‘Do Darya’ towards Village in his Toyota Corolla car with his cousin Shahlyla Baloch. On the way, when they reached the turning near the Emaar building, he lost control and the car hit the footpath and then against a barrier.”
Baloch had featured for her country at the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women Football Championship 2014 in Islamabad when she was just 18. It was the last occasion when the Pakistan team played in an International event.
Pakistan's football federation mourned the untimely death on their Facebook page as they gave a statement saying, “She represented Pakistan and was a role model for many girls. Today Shahlyla Baloch died in a car accident. What a shocking news. All our condolences to her family."
Shahlyla donned the famous number seven jersey following players David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo. She took to football at an early age, when she was 7 years old. She was awarded the prestigious FIFA's youngest player award and was also awarded the best player of Pakistan thrice in 2009, 2011 and 2013. The forward signed for the Sun Club in Maldives and scored a hat-trick during the stint over there.
Shahlyla, who looked up to Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi for inspiration, loved playing in the striker position and scoring goals for her team. Her unfortunate demise has left many shocked as people poured their condolences on Twitter.
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