Javeria Khan has announced her retirement from international cricket

Former Pakistan captain Javeria Khan has announced her retirement from international cricket through a heartfelt social media post on Thursday (March 21).

Having graced the field in 116 ODIs and 12 T20Is for Pakistan since her international debut in 2008, Javeria bids adieu after an illustrious 16-year career, during which she solidified her position as Pakistan’s second highest run-scorer in the 50-over format, amassing 2285 runs.

Reflecting on her journey, the 35-year-old penned, “There was joy and sorrow, but above all a sense of great pride that kept me going for 15 years.

The privilege of wearing Pakistan’s jersey was way bigger than the odds that struck through my cricketing journey.

I am blessed to have lived my life doing what I loved doing the most and will continue to do so.”

She continued, “Now when I look back, it gives me great satisfaction to see that the path that my friends and I chose to walk on was least trodden when I started playing professionally but is now open for so many girls in Pakistan.

Things change, scripts change, and new paths beckon.

There is a time for everything, and now I believe is the best time to call it a day and announce my retirement.

However, I’ll be available to play league cricket.

I will always be grateful to Pakistan for letting me hold Pakistan’s flag globally.”

Expressing gratitude, Tania Mallick, PCB’s head of women’s cricket, stated, “On behalf of the PCB and all cricket fans, I extend heartfelt gratitude to Javeria Khan for her invaluable contributions to women’s cricket in Pakistan.

Her glittering records with the bat speak for themselves, and I am confident that her illustrious career will inspire many girls in the country to not just take up this sport but also excel at it across many years.”

Despite being among the first recipients of domestic contracts introduced by the PCB in 2023, Javeria faced a setback last year due to a dip in form, resulting in her exclusion from the central contract list.

While her international journey began in 2008, the former captain participated in only one match of the 2022 One-Day World Cup in New Zealand.

Additionally, she had experienced a period out of favor in the shortest format before staging a comeback for the 2023 World Cup, marking her final international appearance for Pakistan.

Javeria also took charge as captain in 16 T20Is and 17 ODIs, serving as the deputy to Bismah Maroof following Sana Mir’s resignation from the top position.