Bismah Maroof, the captain of Pakistan Women’s cricket team, announced her resignation from the captaincy on Wednesday, citing the need for a transition and the chance to groom a young captain. Maroof had an impressive record as captain, with the best win/loss ratio among all the regular players to lead the country in One-Day Internationals (1.000) and T20 Internationals (0.843).
She led the ODI team to 16 wins out of 34 matches and the T20I side to 27 wins out of 62 matches. Maroof, who has played 124 ODI and 132 T20I matches in her career, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to lead her country and her willingness to continue playing as a player and supporting the team in any way.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) thanked Maroof for her services and announced that her replacement would be named soon. Here are three possible candidates who could succeed Maroof as captain:
Javeria Khan
Javeria Khan, a top-order batter, has already led the team in Maroof’s absence during her maternity leave. Khan made her debut in 2008 and has amassed 2885 ODI runs from 116 matches and 2018 T20I runs from 112 matches. Khan is known for her temperament and tactical acumen, which makes her a strong contender for the captaincy role.
Nida Dar
Nida Dar, an experienced all-rounder, has been a vital member of the team for many years. Dar made her debut in 2010 and has 91 ODI wickets in 99 matches and 126 T20I wickets in 130 matches. Dar has also scored 1535 ODI runs and 1687 T20I runs in her career. Dar’s experience, versatility, and leadership skills could make her a suitable candidate for the captaincy role.
Sidra Ameen
Sidra Ameen, a top-order batter, has been associated with the women’s team since 2011. Ameen has played 54 ODIs and 36 T20Is and has 1321 and 493 runs in the formats, respectively. Ameen is known for her consistency and adaptability, which could help her excel as a captain. Ameen’s long-standing commitment to the team and her potential as a leader make her a viable option for the captaincy role.
The PCB is yet to announce who will replace Maroof as captain, but Javeria Khan, Nida Dar, and Sidra Ameen are among the possible candidates. Each of them brings their unique strengths and experience to the table, and the final decision will depend on several factors, such as their leadership skills, performance, and ability to motivate the team. Whoever takes over as captain will inherit a team that is striving to improve and achieve success in international cricket.
