Former Pakistan captain Nida Dar has announced her availability for national selection, more than a year after stepping away from the game to focus on her well-being. The veteran all-rounder confirmed her return in a post on X on Jun 18, ending months of speculation over whether she would attempt a comeback to international cricket.
“After taking time to focus on myself and regain my strength, I am happy to share that I am back and available for the Pakistan Cricket Team once again” she said in her post.
The announcement marks a significant development for Pakistan women’s cricket, even though it remains unclear whether the 39-year-old will feature in the national team’s plans moving forward. Dar has not played for Pakistan since the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, where her final appearance came in a defeat against New Zealand.
Pakistan’s group-stage exit at the tournament was followed by major changes within the setup, including Dar’s omission from the Pakistan Cricket Board’s central contract list. Months later, she announced an indefinite break from the sport citing personal and mental health reasons.
Her return now reopens the possibility of one of Pakistan’s most accomplished cricketers adding to a career that has already spanned nearly 15 years at the international level. Regardless of whether she earns another call-up, Dar’s place in Pakistan cricket history is secure. She remains the country’s most-capped women’s T20I player, having represented Pakistan in 160 matches in the format.
Across those appearances, she scored 2,091 runs and claimed 144 wickets, making her Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker in Women’s T20 Internationals. Dar became the first Pakistan cricketer male or female, to reach 100 wickets in T20 Internationals.
In 112 One-Day Internationals, she accumulated 1,690 runs and picked up 108 wickets, placing her among Pakistan’s most successful players in the format. She is one of only a handful of women to have crossed the 100-ODI mark for Pakistan and remains among the leading wicket-takers in the country’s history.
Following Bismah Maroof’s resignation in 2023, she was appointed captain of Pakistan across formats, becoming one of the most experienced leaders in the women’s game. During her tenure, she oversaw several notable achievements, including Pakistan’s historic T20I series victory in New Zealand in December 2023 — the first time Pakistan women, or any Asian women’s side, had won a T20I series in New Zealand.
Since stepping away from the game, Dar has largely remained out of the spotlight, prompting uncertainty about whether she would return to professional cricket. Her statement suggests she believes the time is right to re-enter the selection conversation.
Whether this announcement now leads to another international appearance remains to be seen. Pakistan have moved into a new phase under captain Fatima Sana, with younger players increasingly taking on prominent roles within the side. Yet Dar’s experience remains difficult to overlook.
With more than 270 international appearances across formats, over 3,700 runs and 250 wickets for Pakistan, few players have contributed as much to the national team over such an extended period. The final decision now rests with the selectors, but one of Pakistan’s most experienced cricketers has made it clear she is ready if the opportunity comes.
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