by Trehan Football
Midlands duo Layla Banaras and Marsha Malik have opened up about the prospect of playing women’s international football for Pakistan.
Trehan Football understands Banaras and Malik are part of a clutch of new call-ups to the senior squad, which insiders believe is the most talented Pakistan women’s squad ever assembled.
Banaras, who recently left Birmingham City after a decade at the club, and Solihull Moors midfielder Malik spoke exclusively to Trehan Football at a recent FA Faith and Football event at Wembley Stadium.
Asked to assess the current crop of British-Pakistani talent, Banaras said: “I think there’s amazing talent. I think we’re showing people that you can play football, and that it’s not just for the boys.
“I think there’s such a good array of talent with a lot of us playing at good levels and showing everyone that we can do it.
“I’m half British-Pakistani and I take so much pride in that. My culture and my ethnicity mean a lot to me. I don’t shy away from it – and I don’t think anyone should have to in order to play football.”
Banaras was coy when asked about the long-standing global interest in seeing her represent Pakistan at international level.
“Obviously, I’m very happy that they want me to come and play for them,” she said.
“I could definitely see it happening,” she added. “We’ll see.”
Malik: Playing in Pakistan ‘just unreal’
Marsha Malik played for Karachi United in last year’s National Women’s Football Championship – and that appears to have whetted her appetite to go on and represent Pakistan.
“It was just unreal! It’s something that I speak about all the time,” Malik said.
“That’s probalbly been my favourite football experience so far in my whole career and hopefully it’s something that I can do again in the future.”
Malik added: “I think my goal is to maybe get that call-up and play for the Pakistan national team.”
FPDC x Trehan Football
FootballPakistan.Com (FPDC) has partnered with Trehan Football to shine a light on players from the community linked to the English game.
The collaboration, which runs through to the 2025/26 season, aims to showcase at least a dozen talented footballers from British-Pakistani backgrounds.
Trehan Football is a legacy project founded by FA Level 2 talent scout and award-winning broadcaster Dev Trehan.