Pakistan Fast-Bowler Announces Retirement from All Forms of Game With Immediate Effect

Pakistan’s women team fast-bowler Asmavia Iqbal, on Wednesday (January 24), announced her international retirement from all forms of the game after serving her team for more than a decade.

The 30-year old had finished the Women’s World Cup in England last year, as Pakistan’s highest wicket-taker with eight wickets from six games.

The right-arm pacer had made her international debut on 28 December 2005 against Sri Lanka in Karachi and bowed out of the game by leaving a lasting impression on it. She is the first female cricketer to take a T20I hat-trick. Asmavia had achieved the historical feat against England in 2012 when she dismissed Sarah Taylor, Arran Brindle and Danielle Wyatt on successive deliveries.

But despite being one of the most experienced players of her team and starring in an otherwise dismal World Cup for Pakistan, she was a surprisingly left out of the squad for the limited-overs series against New Zealand in October which was Pakistan’s only cricket assignment since the conclusion of the World Cup in June.

The right-arm pacer took to Twitter to announce her decision and expressed her desire of working with the Pakistan Cricket Board in the future.

“Finally after serving Pakistan for more then 14 years today, I want to end my career at a high note So announcing my Retirement from International cricket (all formats ) . It has always been an honor representing my country. Looking forward to work with Pakistan Cricket board,” she wrote.

Finally after serving Pakistan for more then 14 years today I want to end my career at a high note So announcing my Retirement from International cricket (all formats ) . It has always been an honor representing my country. Looking forward to work with Pakistan Cricket board

— Asmavia Iqbal (@AsmaviaIqbal16) January 24, 2018

Asmavia represented Pakistan in 92 ODIs and 68 T20Is, picking up 70 and 44 wickets, respectively in addition to scoring over 1,000 international runs.

“What a memorable journey it has been! It has been an absolute honour wearing the green shirt #20 and serving Pakistan as a cricketer. A hearfelt thankyou fo all my Fellow players, coaches, well wishers, fans and all others who have been part of this incredible journey so far,”  she wrote on Twitter.

What a memorable journey it has been! It has been an absolute honour wearing the green shirt #20 and serving Pakistan as a cricketer. A hearfelt thankyou fo all my Fellow players, coaches, well wishers, fans and all others who have been part of this incredible journey so far.

— Asmavia Iqbal (@AsmaviaIqbal16) January 24, 2018

Meanwhile, soon after her retirement, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced that the former pacer is made a part of the three-member selection committee for the women’s cricket team. The committee will be headed by former Test cricketer Jalaluddin.

PCB appoints Mr. Jalaluddin as Chief Selector Women's Cricket and Mr. Mark Coles as Head Coach Pakistan Women's… https://t.co/mkNbR6ESJN

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 24, 2018

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