In a surprising turn of events, former Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof has announced her retirement from all forms of international cricket on April 25. The 32-year-old left-handed batter leaves behind a remarkable legacy, having captained the national team and holding the record for most matches played by a Pakistani woman cricketer.
Bismah Maroof retires from international cricket
Maroof's had an illustrious cricketing career which was marked by both resilience and innovation. After a fitness setback in 2020, she faced another hurdle following the birth of her daughter in 2021. However, she made headlines at the 2022 World Cup by becoming the first Pakistani woman cricketer to utilize the board's newly implemented 12-month maternity leave policy, bringing her baby along during the tournament.
Maroof's contributions on the field are equally noteworthy. She debuted in ODIs against India in 2006 and went on to represent Pakistan a staggering 276 times across formats – the highest number for any Pakistani woman cricketer. Throughout her career, she amassed 6,262 runs, including 33 half-centuries, and even showcased her bowling skills by claiming 80 wickets with her right-arm 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," Bismah said in a statement.
"I want to express my gratitude to my family, who has supported me throughout my 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," she added.
Bismah Maroof's retirement came ahead of 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup which is scheduled to be hosted in Bangladesh between September and October 2024.
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Tania Mallik, head of the Pakistan women's cricket wing, expressed the Board's deep gratitude for Bismah Maroof's immense contributions to the sport.
Maroof's legacy extends beyond statistics
Maroof's legacy extends beyond statistics, she was a true leader, captaining Pakistan in 96 international matches. Her impact is further reflected in the team's achievements. Maroof was part of the gold medal-winning squads at the 2010 and 2014 Asian Games. She also played a pivotal role in four ICC Women's 50-over World Cups (2009, 2013, 2017, and 2022), even captaining the team during the 2022 edition in New Zealand. Similarly, Bismah's leadership extended to the T20 format, where she featured in eight editions of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup (2009-2023) and captained the side in both the 2020 and 2023 tournaments.
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