Bismah Mahroof retires from international cricket with immediate effect

Former Pakistan skipper Bismah Mahroof announced her retirement from international cricket with immediate effect on Thursday. The 32 year old made 136 ODI and 140 T20I appearances in an illustrious career that spanned for nearly 18 years. Even though she failed to score a ton in international cricket, she holds the record for most runs for Pakistan in both formats- 3369 in ODIs and 2893 in T20Is, and most fifties- 21 and 12 respectively. 

She made her international debut only at the age of 15 in 2006. In 2016 she was handed  captaincy duties of the national side in T20Is and in ODIs a year later. She led the side in 34 ODIs and 62 T20Is, winning 16 and 27 matches respectively- which is the best (win percentage) among Pakistani women skippers. 

Despite a career marred by various injuries, Maroof was a part of eight world cups through her career and also featured in the team that won the Asian Games gold medals in 2010 and 2014. 

Besides being a vital cog of Pakistan’s batting and one of their finest fielders for well over a decade, Maroof also took 80 international wickets with her part time 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," she stated in a release. "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.

"I am deeply grateful to the fans whose unwavering support has been a constant throughout my career, wherever and whenever I represented my country. Lastly, I would like to thank my fellow players, who have become like family to me. The camaraderie we shared both on and off the field is something I will cherish forever."