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In a surprising turn of events, 18-year-old Pakistani cricketer Ayesha Naseem has announced her retirement from all forms of cricket, effective from Thursday, July 20. The talented batter, who showed immense promise as one of Pakistan's best big hitters, revealed that she is stepping away from the sport to devote her life to Islam.
Ayesha had reached the pinnacle of her career and was considered a rising star in Pakistan's women's cricket. Her decision has left cricket fans from Pakistan in shock. Ayesha informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about her heartfelt choice to focus on her spiritual path.
Having made her international debut in 2020, Ayesha's performances were remarkable, amassing over 400 runs from 34 international appearances. She was a key player in Pakistan's T20I team and was part of the squad that competed in the ICC T20 World Cup 2023 held in February.
Many experts and fans saw Ayesha Naseem as the next big thing in Pakistan women's cricket, especially with some star cricketers approaching the end of their playing careers.
One of the memorable moments during the T20 World Cup was Ayesha's brilliant knock against India in the group-stage game. Her explosive 43* off just 25 deliveries, including two fours and two sixes, helped Pakistan set a challenging target of 150 runs. However, India managed to chase it down comfortably with seven wickets to spare.
In her T20I career, Ayesha scored 369 runs in 30 matches at an average of 18.45 and an impressive strike rate of 128.12. Her best performance came against India women. She also represented Pakistan in four ODIs, scoring 33 runs.
The Pakistan women's cricket team has not played any international matches since the conclusion of the ICC T20 World Cup 2023. However, they are scheduled to make a comeback with a six-match white-ball series against South Africa women at home, starting on September 1 in Karachi. Subsequently, they will travel to New Zealand for further engagements in December. Ayesha Naseem's absence will surely be felt during these upcoming matches as she had become an integral part of the team's lineup.
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