Former Pakistan Women Cricketer Sharmeen Khan Passes Away Aged 46

Sharmeen Khan, the former Pakistan women’s cricket team member passed away aged 46 on Tuesday. Going by the reports, the medium pacer died due to pneumonia. Meanwhile, she and her sister, Shaiza Khan played a significant role in helping Pakistan women’s team gain Women’s Cricket Council membership in September 1996.

Sharmeen’s contribution in building up the Women’s Team

Moreover, Sharmeen was a part of Pakistan Women’s first-ever international match in 1997. The all-rounder represented her nation in two Tests and 26 One-Day Internationals between 1997 and 2002, picking up five and 20 wickets, respectively. Meanwhile, Shaiza said her sister had arrived in Pakistan from England only two days ago.

However, Shaiza Khan along with Sharmeen Khan also played Pakistan’s maiden ODI against New Zealand in Christchurch in 1997. Moreover, the sisters also took part in Pakistan’s first ever World Cup in 1997. Sharmeen recorded her best ODI figures of three for 23 against Sri Lanka in 1998. In addition to, the duo’s father’s carpet company had sponsored the national set-up.

Meanwhile, both of them had to face a lot of difficulties and even had to face legal actions for their efforts to grow women’s cricket in the country. Though the right-hander made her Test debut against Sri Lanka at Colombo in April 1998, she played her last Test against Ireland Women in Dublin in 2000.

Furthermore, Sharmeen Khan was credited widely for having women’s cricket in Pakistan. In January 2003, the sisters were appointed as Full Members of the MCC.