Surprising Retirement: Ayesha Naseem Bids Farewell to Cricket at 18 citing religion

Eighteen-year-old Pakistani cricket sensation, Ayesha Naseem, has surprised everyone by announcing her early retirement from international cricket. Despite being a promising player with a bright future, Ayesha has chosen to step away from the sport.

Ayesha Naseem, known for her powerful batting skills, shocked the cricketing world when she revealed her decision to retire from all forms of cricket. She was at the peak of her career and had the potential to become one of Pakistan's top power hitters. Her announcement has left fans of women's cricket, especially in Pakistan, in disbelief. Former Pakistan bowling legend, Wasim Akram, had even praised her as a 'serious talent', making her retirement all the more unexpected.

As per reports, Ayesha Naseem informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about her decision, stating that she wants to live her life according to Islam and, therefore, is leaving cricket behind.

Ayesha's Career

During her short yet impactful career, Ayesha played 34 international matches after making her debut in 2020, amassing over 400 runs. Her performance in the ICC T20 World Cup 2023, held in February, was particularly notable, and she was a regular member of Pakistan women's T20I team. With several of Pakistan's top female cricketers nearing the end of their careers, Ayesha was expected to be the next big star in women's cricket.

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One of her memorable knocks was in a group stage match against India, where she scored an impressive 43 not out off 25 balls with two fours and two sixes. Her contribution helped Pakistan set a target of 150 runs against India, although India couldn't reach the target despite having seven wickets in hand.

Throughout her T20I career, Ayesha scored 369 runs in 30 games at an average of 18.45 and a strike rate of 128.12. Her best performance came against India's women's team. Additionally, she played four One-Day Internationals (ODIs) for Pakistan and scored 33 runs.

The Pakistan women's cricket team is scheduled to resume playing on September 1 with a six-match white-ball series against South Africa women in Karachi. After that, they will be heading to New Zealand in December.

Despite her decision to retire early, Ayesha Naseem has left a lasting impact on the cricketing world with her impressive performances. Fans will surely miss her powerful batting skills, and her decision to focus on her religion reflects her personal choice and beliefs. As she embarks on a new journey in life, many will remember her as a talented and promising young cricketer who had the potential to achieve great heights in the sport.