Pakistan’s Ayesha Naseem announced her retirement from all forms of cricket for “religious reasons” at the age of 18. The youngster informed her decision to bid adieu to her favourites sport to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The board, however, is yet to put out an official report.
Back in January 2020, when Naseem was 15 years old, Naseem dreamt of becoming an inspiration for young girls. Born in Bagan, a village in Abbottabad, it was not easy for Naseem to play cricket because parents there did not allow their daughters to play the sport.
After moving to Karachi where she played cricket with her brother, Naseem returned to Abbottabad in 2015. The hard-hitting batter had the chance of going back to Karachi, but she did not go for that option.
“People frowned upon me for playing cricket. They constantly dissuaded me and suggested that I was a bad influence on their daughters,” she stated.
“What’s the point of me returning to Karachi? I had so many friends who were talented but didn’t get that opportunity. I had the support of my family, and when others see me excel, I hope they will start sending their daughters to play as well. All that these girls need is the trust and support of their parents,” Naseem added.
Naseem made her debut for Pakistan back in 2020 as a 15-year-old during the T20 World Cup on Australian soil. She played 4 ODIs and 30 T20Is in which she scored 33 and 369 runs respectively, with a top score of 45 not out.
One of her major knocks came in the T20 World Cup in 2023 when she scored 43 off 25 against India.
Source: India Today
