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Pakistan women’s national cricket team has suffered a big blow ahead of the Women’s Asia Cup 2026, as fast bowler Aimen Anwar has announced her retirement from international cricket with immediate effect on Wednesday, August 26.
Anwar has already moved into broadcasting and has now started a new role in match officiating even before finishing her playing career. She last played her international match back in 2023. Earlier, Ramiz Raja shared an update on Imran Khan’s worsening health in prison.
Aimen Anwar announces retirement from international cricket
On Wednesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that the fast bowler “Aimen Anwar has announced her retirement from international cricket with immediate effect." This announcement ended Aimen’s international career after nearly seven years.
She made her Pakistan debut in 2016 after impressing while playing for Karachi U19 in the PCB National U19 Women’s Championship in January 2010. The fast bowler made her Pakistan debut in T20Is against England at Southampton in 2016.
The following year, Aimen made her ODI debut against Bangladesh in Colombo. She represented the Pakistan women’s national cricket team in 45 international matches. Aimen picked up 4 wickets in 8 ODIs and 29 wickets in 37 T20Is between July 2016 and February 2023.
She was also part of Pakistan’s squads at the 2018, 2020, and 2022-23 ICC Women’s T20 World Cups. She also featured in the 2022 Women’s ODI World Cup in New Zealand. Amid this, PCB postpones domestic List-A tournament ahead of busy home season.
Pakistan star begins new chapter in Broadcasting and Officiating
However, this will not be the end of Aimen’s cricket journey, as he already made his big move. She moved into broadcasting, and she has now become a match referee also.
The PCB confirmed that Aimen completed her match-referee induction course in January this year. And earlier this year, the multi-talented Pakistani cricketer took charge as a match referee for the first time during the ongoing National Women’s U19 Tournament.
PCB begins hunt for new fielding coach after Shane McDermott’s sudden exit
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board has started the search for a new fielding coach for the men’s national team after Shane McDermott left the job last month.
The PCB has officially advertised the position and is looking for an experienced coach who can improve the team’s fielding standards and help players develop at the international level.
The candidates must have at least a Level II cricket coaching qualification and a minimum of five years of experience working with elite players, national teams, franchise sides, or international teams.
PCB reveals criteria for new fielding coach
The new coach will also need strong knowledge of fielding techniques, match analysis, and player development. Experience in monitoring and improving systems used at the international level will also be important to take the job with the national side.
McDermott had taken charge as Pakistan’s all-format fielding coach in July last year. He was expected to remain with the support staff for the Asian Games in September, but his sudden decision forced the PCB to search once again for a new fielding coach for the senior side.
Notably, the Pakistan national cricket team is currently in England for the ongoing three-match Test series, which is part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle.
