Fans worldwide get attached to their favorite players on an emotional level. They are someone who each and everyone looks up to. The thought of not getting to see our favorite player take the field on the biggest stage once more is really haunting.
Retirement is the hardest part of someone’s life, be it in sports or in any other field. Even for the players, not playing their favorite sport is definitely a lot tougher than anyone thinks. From the start of 2023, we have seen loads of action with various tournaments like the T20 World Cup, WPL, The Hundred, etc., but on the other hand, we have also witnessed some shocking retirements, which shook the whole world.
1. Alex Hartley
The 29-year-old English bowler announced her retirement on 22nd August 2023. Hartley, a left-arm orthodox bowler made her debut for the English in 2016 against Pakistan. The very next year she won the World Cup with England. She played a total of 8 matches, claiming 10 wickets in the mega event. She was England’s second-highest wicket-taker, only after star player Anya Shrubsole. Hartley played a total of 32 matches for the English side picking 42 wickets across limited overs formats.
2. Mary Waldron
Mary Waldron announced her retirement on 28th July, retiring as the highest-capped player in Ireland Women’s history. It was later eclipsed by Captain Laura Delany. Waldron made her debut for the Irish side in 2010 against New Zealand. The wicket-keeper batter has inflicted a total of 111 dismissals from behind the stumps.
3. Ayesha Naseem
Pakistan’s Ayesha Naseem brought an end to her short career aged just 18. This was perceived as the most surprising news as it was believed that she would have a long career in Pakistan. Ayesha cited that she wants to practice her religion. Ayesha made her debut for Pakistan at just a tender age of 15 years. She played a total of 34 matches for Pakistan, amassing 402 runs across the limited-over formats.
4. Katherine Sciver-Brunt
Veteran English bowler decided to hang her boots in the international forms of cricket on 5th May 2023. The 38-year-old fast bowler wore the English colors for a total of 267 times, picking a total of 335 wickets across the 3 formats. She has also scored 1864 runs in the 3 formats. Sciver-Brunt was also a part of the victorious side of England in 2017.
5. Shabnim Ismail
Proteas’ right-handed fast bowler, Shabnim made her debut in 2007 against Pakistan. Shabnim announced her international retirement on 3rd May 2023, bringing an end to an illustrious career spanning a total of 16 years. She played a total of 231 matches for the proteas in all the 3 formats. Shabnim claimed a total of 317 wickets across formats. Shabnim also has a total of four 5-wicket hauls to her name.
6. Nahida Khan
Pakistan’s former opening batter Nahida Khan hung up her boots on 15th June 2023. Nahida made her international debut in 2009 against Sri Lanka. Nahida has represented Pakistan for a total of 120 times, amassing a combined total of 2014 runs from limited-overs format. Nahida notched up her half-century for a total of 8 times.