why do you think the opening scene is the story of malalai, the young afghan girl who led the afghan army against the british during their fight for independence?

Malalai represents the fighting spirit of the Pashtun people. Although Pashtun people fight among themselves, they always come together to fight a foreign invader. In many respects Malala is fighting a foreign invader in the form of the Taliban. Malala does not consider the Taliban representative of her or her people.