Lahore, April 25, 2025: Nida Dar, one of the most iconic figures in Pakistan women’s cricket, has announced an indefinite break from the sport, citing personal reasons and the need to prioritize her mental health.
In a statement posted on social media platform X on Friday, the 38-year-old allrounder revealed that a combination of personal and professional struggles had impacted her well-being, prompting the decision to step away from the game.
“A lot of things have happened in the past with me personally and professionally and this has affected my mental health,” Dar wrote. “For this reason I am taking a break for a while from cricket to focus on myself.”
Dar has not played for Pakistan since October 2024 and was excluded from the squad that recently secured qualification for the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, after winning all five games during the qualifiers hosted in Lahore earlier this month.
A cricket website citing sources claimed that Dar is no longer in the management’s immediate plans, with the team focusing on developing younger talent. Concerns about her fitness, especially in the ODI format, reportedly played a significant role in her omission. She is believed to have failed a fitness test earlier this year.
Once revered for her power-hitting and reliable off-spin, Dar’s form has dipped in recent years. In her last 24 T20I innings, she has failed to cross the 30-run mark even once, averaging under 17 with a strike rate below 100. Her bowling figures have also declined, with both her average and economy rate rising since 2023.
While the announcement does not amount to a formal retirement, it was made public without prior notification to the PCB, and it remains unclear when, or if, she will return to international cricket.
Nevertheless, Nida Dar’s legacy is secure as one of Pakistan’s greatest women’s cricketers. Since her debut in 2010, she has been a central figure in the national team, captaining Pakistan in 24 T20Is and 13 ODIs.
She holds the record as Pakistan’s all-time leading wicket-taker in T20Is (144), ranking second globally behind Australia’s Megan Schutt (151). In ODIs, she stands second only to Sana Mir, with 108 wickets. With the bat, her 2091 T20I runs are second only to Bismah Maroof, while her 1690 ODI runs place her fourth on Pakistan’s all-time list.
Pakistan’s next international assignment is a T20I series in Ireland in August, followed by the ODI Women’s World Cup in September, hosted by India—though Pakistan is expected to play its matches at neutral venues under the agreed hybrid model.
