NEWS
Follow UsIn what can be called the end of an era in Pakistan cricket, former Pakistan skipper Bismah Maroof has decided to call it a day from all formats of cricket with immediate effect. One of the finest women's cricketers from Pakistan, Maroof played a defining role in leading Pakistan cricket to a position of respectability from apparent obscurity.
Maroof made her ODI debut against India in 2006 and her T20I debut against Ireland in 2009 and subsequently went on to represent her country in 276 international matches, the most by any Pakistan women's cricketer. She has scored 6,262 international runs, including 33 half-centuries, and has taken 80 international wickets with her leg-spin.
“I have decided to retire from the game I love the most. It has been an incredible journey, filled with challenges, victories, and unforgettable memories. I want to express my gratitude to my family, who has supported me throughout my cricketing journey from the very beginning until now," Maroof said in a statement released by PCB.
“I also want to extend my thanks to the Pakistan Cricket Board for believing in me and providing the platform to showcase my talent. The support from the PCB has been invaluable, particularly in implementing the first-ever parental policy for me, which enabled me to represent my country at the highest level while being a mother.
“I am deeply grateful to the fans whose unwavering support has been a constant throughout my career, wherever and whenever I represented my country. Lastly, I would like to thank my fellow players, who have become like family to me. The camaraderie we shared both on and off the field is something I will cherish forever.”
Maroof was part of the Pakistan women’s team that won the Gold Medal twice in the Asian Games, in the 2010 and 2014 editions. The southpaw also captained the side in 96 ODI matches and represented Pakistan in four editions of the ICC Women’s 50-over World Cup (2009, 2013, 2017, and 2022), captaining the team in the 2022 edition held in New Zealand.
In T20Is, she featured for Pakistan in eight editions of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup (2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2023) and led the side in the 2020 and 2023 editions held in Australia and South Africa, respectively.
