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Former Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof announced retirement concluding her 17-year international cricket career. The Pakistan veteran represented Pakistan in white-ball formats and has been the most capped Pakistan player in the ODI circuit with 136 appearances. Not only this, but she also played the second-highest number of games in the T20I format. While Maroof decided to pull the curtains on her international career, she would play league games.
The 32-year-old has had a notable career where she ended up as the leading run-scorer for her side in both ODIs and T20Is. While she put up a total of 3369 runs in the 50-over format with an average of 29.55, she racked up 2893 runs in the 140 T20Is that she played for her side. The number of half-centuries for Bismah stands at 21 in the ODI format and 12 in the T20I career. Talking about her captaincy career, Maroof led Pakistan in 62 T20Is and 34 ODIs.
I have decided to retire from the game I love the most: Bismah Maroof
Maroof was quoted as saying by the PCB, "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. I want to express my gratitude to my family, who has supported me throughout my cricketing journey, from the very beginning until now.
She added, "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. 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."