Former Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof retires from cricket

• Bismah Maroof makes surprise decision.
• Made her ODI debut against India in 2006.
• She played her first T20I game against Ireland in 2009.
  

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof has announced her retirement from all cricket with immediate effect after the team’s humiliating performance in the ODI series against West Indies.

Bismah made her ODI debut against India in 2006 and her T20I debut against Ireland in 2009.

The left-handed batter represented Pakistan in 276 international matches, the most by any Pakistan women cricketer. She has scored 6,262 international runs, including 33 half-centuries, and has taken 80 international wickets with her right-arm leg-spin.

During her illustrious career, Bismah was part of the 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 international matches.

She 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, Bismah 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.

Commenting on her decision, Bismah Maroof said: “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.”

She expressed gratitude to the family for supporting her throughout her cricketing journey, from the very beginning until now.

“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.”

Head of Women’s Cricket, Tania Mallick said: “As Bismah Maroof bids farewell to international cricket, we are all indebted to her immense contributions to Pakistan women's cricket. On behalf of the Pakistan Cricket Board, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Bismah for her commitment and invaluable services to the team and the country.

“I wish Bismah all the best in her future endeavours, and may her journey ahead be as rewarding and fulfilling as her cricketing career has been.”