Bismah Maroof, the former Pakistan captain, announced her retirement from all forms of international cricket on Thursday. The 32-year-old veteran has been a cornerstone of Pakistan’s batting and one of their better fielders for over a decade.
Maroof represented Pakistan in 136 ODIs and 140 T20Is in a career spanning 18 years. Although she failed to register a century, she holds the record for most runs for Pakistan in both formats – 3369 in ODIs and 2893 in T20Is. Maroof also boasts the most fifties for Pakistan – 21 in ODIs and 12 in T20Is.
Having made her international debut as a 15-year-old in 2006, she took over the captaincy of the national team in T20Is in 2016 and ODIs a year later. Maroof led the side in 34 ODIs and 62 T20Is, winning 16 and 27 matches respectively – boasting of the best win percentage among Pakistani women captains.
Despite battling numerous injuries, Maroof featured in eight world cups throughout her career and was part of the team that won the Asian Games gold medals in 2010 and 2014. Apart from her batting exploits, Maroof also picked 80 international wickets with her part-time legspin.
“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,” Maroof stated. She expressed gratitude to her family, the Pakistan Cricket Board, and the fans for their unwavering support throughout her career.
