Pakistan star cricketer announces retirement fir religious reasons

Islamabad : In a surprise for many cricket enthusiasts, Ayesha Naseem, an 18-year-old Pakistan women's cricketer, announced her retirement from the sport, citing religious reasons as the driving force behind her decision. 

Ayesha Naseem has gained fame with her skills in both One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). In her career, she has played four ODIs and 30 T20Is, making her presence known as a formidable top-order batter. In T20Is, she has managed to score an impressive total of 369 runs at an average of 18.45, while in ODIs, her tally stands at 33 runs.

During the 2023 Women's T20 World Cup, Ayesha's talent was on full display as she played a remarkable inning against India, scoring a blazing 25-ball 43*, capturing the attention of cricket fans across the globe. Her performances have garnered admiration from fans and experts alike.

The young cricketer's journey has been marked with several noteworthy achievements. Back in June 2021, she impressed with a quick-fire 33-ball 45* against West Indies, showcasing her ability to dominate on the field. She repeated her prowess in May of the same year, matching her previous score against Sri Lanka in a T20I in Karachi, this time achieving the feat in just 31 balls.

Former Pakistan captain, Wasim Akram, had also praised her for her skills and had tagged her as "serious talent" in cricket.

Ayesha Naseem's decision to retire from cricket due to religious reasons has been confirmed through a report by Cricket Pakistan. She has already communicated her decision to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).