This file photo shows Pakistan’s Basma Marouf playing a shot during the ICC Twenty20 World Cup women’s cricket match against West Indies at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on March 16, 2016. | Image source: The Hindu
In a surprising development, Basma Marouf, one of Pakistan’s most prominent cricketers and former captain, on April 25 announced her retirement from international cricket with immediate effect.
Basma, 32, had to take a long break from cricket, first due to a fitness issue in 2020 and then after giving birth to a baby girl in August 2021.
Basma made headlines when she took her child to the 2022 World Cup in New Zealand. She was the first Pakistani cricketer to take 12 months paid maternity leave.
Bisma made her ODI debut against India in 2006. A left-handed batsman, she went on to represent Pakistan in 276 ODIs, the most of any Pakistani cricketer. She made her T20I debut against Ireland in 2009. She has scored 6,262 international runs, including 33 half-centuries, and has taken 80 international wickets with her right leg spin.
Basma said in a statement: “I have decided to retire from the game that I love most. It has been an amazing journey full of challenges, victories and unforgettable memories.”
“I want to express my gratitude to my family, who have supported me throughout my cricketing journey, from the beginning until now.
“I would also like to extend my thanks to the Pakistan Cricket Board for believing in me and providing the platform to showcase my talent. The support provided by the Pakistan Cricket Board has been invaluable, especially in implementing the first ever parental policy for me, which has enabled me to represent my country at the highest level. level while being a mother.” Pakistan Women Cricket Wing President Tania Malik said that the Board was always indebted to Bisma for her immense contributions to Pakistan Women Cricket.
Basma was part of the women’s team that won the gold medal twice in the Asian Games, in the 2010 and 2014 editions, in addition to leading her country’s national team in 96 international matches.
She has competed in four editions of the ICC Women’s Over-50 World Cup (2009, 2013, 2017 and 2022), and captained the team in the 2022 edition held in New Zealand.
In T20Is, Basmah featured in eight editions of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup between 2009 and 2023 and captained the team in the 2020 and 2023 editions.
