32-year-old Bismah Maroof, Pakistan’s most accomplished all-rounder, bids farewell to her remarkable 17-year international cricket career, as she announces her retirement on April 25th, 2024.
Bismah Maroof, born on July 18, 1991, is a distinguished Pakistani cricketer renowned for her prowess as an all-rounder with a left-handed batting style, and right-arm leg-break bowling. She made her debut at the tender age of 15, gracing the field against India in the inaugural match of the Women’s Asia Cup on December 13, 2006, in ODIs. Her final ODI appearance occurred against West Indies on April 23, 2024, in Karachi during the ongoing West Indies tour of Pakistan. In T20Is, Maroof marked her debut against Ireland in the RSA T20 Cup held in Dublin on May 29, 2009, and concluded her T20I journey against New Zealand at Dunedin on December 5, 2023. Throughout her illustrious career, she has represented Pakistan in a staggering 276 matches, amassing a total of 6262 runs, which includes thirty-three half-centuries, and also scalped 80 wickets.
Since her debut, Bismah Maroof has showcased her talent in 136 ODI matches, accumulating a total of 3369 runs. Among her notable achievements are 21 half-centuries, with her highest score of 99 runs achieved against South Africa in 2015. Additionally, she has made a mark in bowling, claiming 44 wickets, with her best figures being 4/7 attained against Ireland in 2011. In her T20I career spanning 140 matches, Maroof has amassed 2893 runs, which includes 12 half-centuries. Her unbeaten innings of 70 runs stands as her personal best. Furthermore, she has contributed with 36 wickets, achieving her best figures of 3/21.
In June 2022, Bismah Maroof achieved a significant milestone by becoming the leading run-scorer for the Pakistan women’s team in both ODI and T20I formats, surpassing 2000 runs in each. Her leadership journey began when she captained the side in ODIs in 2013, and she later took over the captaincy of the T20 team from Sana Mir after the Women’s World T20 in 2016. However, she relinquished the captaincy in 2023 following the T20 World Cup. Maroof’s impact transcends records; she was the first woman to amass 1,000 runs in ODIs for Pakistan.
🚨Breaking News:🚨
Bismah Maroof retires from all forms of international cricket. #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/lfcnPdaqsD
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) April 25, 2024
In April 2021, she temporarily stepped away from cricket to welcome motherhood, only to return to the field in December 2021, ahead of the 2022 World Cup. Maroof’s domestic cricket journey has seen her represent Amazon, Asia Women XI, Spirit Women, Lahore, Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited, and Pakistan Universities. Notably, as of 2024, she holds the world record for the most runs scored in Women’s ODIs without a single career century, tallying 3,369 runs. Her contributions to cricket and society were recognized on March 23, 2023, when she was bestowed with the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s fourth-highest civilian honor.
Bismah Maroof encapsulates the profound journey she embarked on in cricket. With 17 years dedicated to the sport, she reflects on it not merely as a game but as a profound passion and a fulfillment of dreams. She emphasized the growth she experienced, both personally and professionally, over nearly two decades representing Pakistan. She acknowledges the support of the cricketing community, from the Pakistan Cricket Board to her teammates and family, especially her parents, whose guidance shaped her success. Grateful for the unwavering support of fans, she expresses her readiness to continue making her nation proud in league cricket assignments.
Pakistan Zindabad! 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/6otSXiXnnI
— Bismah Maroof (@maroof_bismah) April 25, 2024