Pakistan’s experienced 34-year-old fast bowler Aiman Anwer has announced her retirement from international cricket with immediate effect, bringing an end to a career that spanned nearly a decade.
The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed the decision on Wednesday, August 26, just two days before the Pakistan women’s team begins its campaign in the sixth edition of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup in the UAE.
Aiman Anwer made her international debut in 2016 and went on to represent Pakistan in 37 T20Is and eight ODIs. Interestingly, she became the 37th player to feature for Pakistan in the T20I format. Across her international career, the right-arm pacer claimed 29 wickets in T20Is and four in ODIs, making a valuable contribution to Pakistan’s bowling attack during a period of transition for the team.
Her maiden appearance for Pakistan came in a T20I against England in 2016. Anwer gradually established herself as a dependable pace option, particularly in the shortest format, where her ability to bowl with discipline and generate movement made her a useful presence in Pakistan’s international setup.
The pacer represented Pakistan at three Women’s T20 World Cup editions, in 2018, 2020 and 2023. She was also part of the squad for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 in New Zealand. Her final ODI appearance came against England during Pakistan’s league-stage fixture at that tournament.
Anwer’s last international appearance came at the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa. Her final T20I was against the West Indies in a group-stage match, after which she did not feature for Pakistan again. Her retirement now formally closes a chapter that included 45 international appearances across both limited-overs formats.
The timing of her announcement adds another layer of significance, with Pakistan preparing for a major continental assignment under captain Fatima Sana. The upcoming Asia Cup will be hosted in the UAE for the first time from August 28 to September 13, 2026. Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals India, Thailand and Hong Kong.
While Anwer will not be part of Pakistan’s campaign, her experience and service remain an important part of the team’s recent history. Her retirement leaves Pakistan to find another reliable pace option as the side looks to build momentum in the UAE and compete strongly in one of the most closely followed tournaments on the women’s cricket calendar.
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