After 18-year-old Pakistan hard-hitter Ayesha Naseem announced her retirement due to religious reasons, Pakistan women's team was dealt another blow as their former skipper Bismah Maroof has pulled of of the Asian Games 2023 due to "no travelling with children" policy of the event.
As a result, Pakistan have lost two of their best performers ahead of the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games 2023.
In 2022, Maroof travelled with her daughter to Australia for ODI World Cup. On her comeback after maternity leave, she also scored a half-century. Few months later, in the Commonwealth Games (CWG) her infant daughter was denied entry into the CWG village. However, her nanny and daughter were allowed to stay at a hotel outside the village.
Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) women's cricket wing head, Tania Mallick said on July 25 that it was unfortunate that the team will be competing in the absence of an experienced Maroof due to the regulations.
Tania also talked about Ayesha's shock retirement as she is considered one of the hardest hitters of the ball in women's cricket.
"The PCB respects and understands her decision to quit the game for personal reasons. We wish her the best in future endeavours."
The teenager made her T20I debut in March 2020 against Thailand. Her last international appearance was against Ireland in February 2023. She has scored 369 runs from 27 innings at an average of 18.45 and an impressive strike rate of 128.12. She has played just four ODIs and has 33 runs to her name.
Pakistan cricket team is currently the defending champions of the Asian Games. The last time cricket was a part of Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea 2014, they emerged victoriously. Before that in Guangzhou, China 2010, Pakistan won the gold medal too. They will be aiming for a hat-trick in this edition of the games.
This edition's event will be played in the T20 format from September 19 to 26.
Pakistan Squad: Nida Dar (captain), Aliya Riaz, Anoosha Nasir, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Nataliya Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah and Umm-e-Hani.
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