Nida Dar Archives

Nida Dar takes break from cricket to focus on mental health

Pakistan women’s cricket stalwart and former captain Nida Dar has decided to take a temporary break from the game, citing mental health concerns.

The seasoned all-rounder made the announcement through her social media platforms, sharing that both personal and professional challenges have taken a toll on her mental well-being.

“After careful consideration, I have decided to take a temporary break from cricket to prioritize my mental health and well-being,” Nida wrote.

“Recent personal and professional challenges have taken a toll on my mental health, and I need to take some time to focus on myself.”

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She also requested privacy during this phase, adding that she will return to the field once she feels ready.

“I appreciate your understanding and respect for my privacy during this time. I am grateful for the support of my loved ones and look forward to returning to the cricket field when I am ready,” she added.

Nida Dar had recently reported to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier training camp in Faisalabad and underwent a fitness test, but was not selected for the squad due to fitness concerns.

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She also opted out of the upcoming National Women’s T20 Cup, choosing instead to step away from the game temporarily.

It’s important to note that Nida Dar is the most capped T20I player for the country and the first Pakistani, male or female, to claim 100 T20I wickets.

She is also among the first four players to feature in 100 women’s ODIs for Pakistan and ranks second in ODI wickets, behind only Sana Mir.

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Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz miss out as PCB announces women’s central contracts

LAHORE: Former women’s captain Nida Dar and all-rounder Aliya Riaz have been left out by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) from the list of central contracts for the 2024-25 international season.

The cricket board awarded the central contracts to 16 women’s cricketers, effective from 1 July 2024, following an annual performance review. Last year, 20 players had received contracts for a two-year period, with the provision that performance would be reassessed after the 2023-24 season.

Pakistan women’s captain Fatima Sana and wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali have been elevated to Category A, while left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal has moved up to Category B, reflecting their recent performances and growing stature in the game.

The list includes three new entrants: Gull Feroza, Rameen Shamim, and Tasmia Rubab. Tasmia has earned the contract for the first time, marking an important milestone in her career, while Rameen and Gull have returned to the central contract list for the first time since 2018 and 2022-23, respectively.

The contracts of Aliya Riaz, Anosha Nasir, Eyman Fatima, Nida Dar, Shawaal Zulfiqar and Sidra Nawaz have not been renewed for the upcoming season.

However, these players will remain available for selection, as the PCB shifts its focus towards developing the next generation of cricketers in alignment with the ICC Women’s Future Tours Programme 2025-29.

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“On behalf of the PCB, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali and Sadia Iqbal on their well-earned promotions, as well as to Tasmia Rubab for receiving central contract for the first time,” said PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmad Syed.

“Tasmia’s inclusion and progression, as well as return of Gull Feroza and Rameen Shamim highlight our commitment to recognising consistent performances and rewarding talent.

“The 2024-25 central contracts reflect our forward-looking strategy as we prepare for the new ICC Women’s Future Tours Programme.

“By further investing in established players through significantly enhanced retainers and offering clear pathways to the emerging cricketer, we aim to strike a balance between nurturing future stars and sustaining competitiveness at the highest level.

“Women’s cricket is a cornerstone of our broader development strategy. The PCB is committed to providing our women cricketers with resources, opportunities and support they need to excel.

“These contracts not only incentivise current players but also inspire the next generation to dream big and push the boundaries of what they can achieve.

“Our vision is clear: to build a stronger and more competitive Pakistan women’s team that can consistently challenge on the global stage and proudly represent the nation in upcoming ICC events.”

Pakistan Women’s Central Contract List for the 2024-25 season

List of centrally contracted players:

Category A – Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali and Sidra Amin

Category B – Nashra Sundhu, Sadia Iqbal

Category C – Diana Baig, Omaima Sohail

Category D – Ghulam Fatima, Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani

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Nida Dar achieves major milestone in T20I cricket

MULTAN: Veteran Pakistan all-rounder Nida Dar on Wednesday, added another feather to her cap as she completed 2000 runs in Women’s T20Is.

Dar achieved the feat in Pakistan’s 13-run victory over South Africa in the second Women’s T20I of the three-match series here at Multan Cricket Stadium.

Nida Dar played a pivotal role in leading Pakistan to their highest-ever score in Women’s T20Is. The right-handed batter scored an anchoring 29 off 21 deliveries with the help of four boundaries.

Dar became only the third Pakistan batter to breach the 2000-run barrier in the shortest format with Javeria Khan and Bismah Maroof the only other batters to have achieved the feat.

Maroof holds the record for scoring the most runs for Pakistan in the format (2893), followed by Javeria, who has 2018 runs to her name.

In the overall list, however, Nida Dar is the 23rd batter to accumulate 2000 runs in Women’s T20Is.

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New Zealand’s Suzie Bates is the only batter with more than 4000 runs in the format, having scored 4348 runs.

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Coming back to the match, an all-round performance led Pakistan to a series-levelling victory over South Africa, who clinched the series opener by 10 runs.

Wicketkeeper batter Muneeba Ali led the charge with the bat, top-scoring with a well-crafted 45 off just 34 deliveries with the help of eight boundaries including two sixes.

She was supported by skipper Fatima Sana (37*), Nida Dar (29) and Sidra Amin (28) as Pakistan notched up a massive total on the board after being put into bat first.

In response, South Africa could score 168/4 in their allotted overs despite Sune Luus’ gutsy half-century.

The right-handed batter took the fight to the Pakistan bowlers at the backend and brought her side into touching distance with an unbeaten 80-run partnership with Chloe Tryon.

The visitors needed 23 runs off the final over but Fatima’s concussion replacement Tasmia Rubab displayed nerves of steel and only leaked nine runs to deny South Africa a comeback victory.

Luus remained the top-scorer for South Africa with a 29-ball 53 while Tryon made 30 not out.

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Nida Dar congratulates India two months after T20 World Cup triumph

Pakistan women’s cricketer Nida Dar recently congratulated India for their ICC T20 World Cup 2024 victory after two months on September 4.

India defeated South Africa on 29 June in Barbados to clinch their second T20 World Cup title under the inspired leadership of Rohit Sharma.

Notably, Rohit and star batter Virat Kohli announced their retirement from the T20I format after the World Cup final.

Nida Dar posted a heartfelt tribute for Rohit and Virat while congratulating the team for their World Cup victory.

“Congrats to India on winning the T20 World Cup 2024! A special shoutout to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for their immense contributions to world cricket. Your leadership, skill, and dedication have inspired millions around the world. Happy retirement, legends,” Dar posted on her official X (formerly Twitter) account.

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However, the former women’s captain deleted her post after fans criticised her heavily for congratulating India after more than two months.

A fan asked, ‘Bruh it’s been more than 2 months. You sleeping or what?’ meanwhile another fan wondered if she was using an outdated internet browser, ‘Internet Explorer se post Kiya tha kya madam?’

It’s worth noting that Nida Dar was relieved of her captaincy duties following the team’s defeat in the semi-finals of the Women’s Asia Cup 2024.

In her place, the talented young pace bowler Fatima Sana was appointed as the new captain to lead Pakistan in the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.

READ: Australia slam highest powerplay score in T20I history

Nida Dar becomes leading wicket-taker in Women’s T20Is

NORTHAMPTON: Pakistan women’s team’s captain Nida Dar on Friday, etched her name in the record books as she became the leading wicket-taker in the history of Women’s T20 Internationals.

Nida achieved the milestone in Pakistan’s 65-run defeat against England in the second T20I of the three-match series here at The County Ground.

The right-arm spinner got Alice Capsey stumped in the 12th over to draw level with Australia’s Megan Schutt, who has 136 wickets to her name.

She then dismissed Amy Jones in her last over of the innings and became the leading wicket-taker of the shortest international format with 137 scalps in 141 innings.

Most wickets in Women’s T20Is:

137 – Nida Dar (Pakistan)
136 – Megan Schutt (Australia)
126 – Ellyse Perry (Australia)
125 – Anisa Mohammed (West Indies)
123 – Shabnim Ismail (South Africa)

For the unversed, Alice Capsey’s all-round exploits led England to a thumping 65-run victory over Pakistan to attain an unassailable 2-0 lead over Pakistan in the ongoing three-match series.

Set to chase 145, Pakistan’s batting unit unfolded on a meagre 79. The touring side, after a dismal start, lost wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bundled out in 15.5 overs.

All-rounder Aliya Riaz (19) remained the top-scorer for Pakistan, followed by Muneeba Ali (18) and Sidra Ameen (11) while the rest of their batters failed to make it into the double figures.

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Sophie Ecclestone led the bowling attack for England with 3/11 while Sarah Glenn, Lauren Bell and Capsey bagged two wickets each.

Opting to bat first, England racked up 144/6 in the allotted 20 overs, courtesy of Alice Capsey and Brunt, who remained joint top-scorers with 31 apiece.

Opening batter Maia Bouchier was the other notable run-getter for England, scoring a solid 30 off 26 deliveries with the help of five boundaries.

Skipper Nida Dar led the bowling attack for Pakistan women with 2/33 in her four overs while Fatima Sana, Diana Baig and Waheeda Akhtar made one scalp each.

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Nida Dar claims massive record for Pakistan in Women’s ODIs

KARACHI: Women’s cricket team captain Nida Dar on Sunday, became only the second bowler to take 100 wickets for Pakistan in Women’s ODIs.

Dar achieved the feat in the recently-concluded second home ODI against West Indies, where he returned sensational bowling figures of 4/52 in nine overs.

She dismissed opening batter Rashada Williams in the 10th over of the West Indies’ pursuit to complete the century of her Women’s ODI wickets.

Dar then went on to claim three more scalps, removing Chedean Nation, Chinelle Henry and Aaliyah Alleyne, boasting her wickets tally to 103.

Notably, Nida Dar is the only Pakistan bowler to take more than 100 wickets in the format, behind former skipper and legendary all-rounder Sana Mir, who has 151 wickets to her name.

Moreover, she is only the 26th bowler in the history of Women’s ODIs to take 100 wickets and 22nd in the list of most wickets, led by India’s Jhulan Goswami.

But her four-fer was not enough as West Indies edged out Pakistan by two wickets in a last-ball thriller and took an unassailable 2-0 lead against the home side in a three-match series.

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In-form Stafanie Taylor and Shemaine Campbelle led the batting charge for the visitors with important half-centuries while skipper Hayley Matthews scored a gutsy 44 up the order.

Opening batter Sidra Ameen and former captain Bismah Maroof were the standout batters for Pakistan, courtesy of their brilliant half-centuries.

The pair also put together a dominant 80-run partnership for the second wicket.

Pakistan will now take on West Indies in the third ODI on Tuesday at the iconic National Bank Stadium here in a bid to avoid the clean sweep.

Pakistan women’s squad for West Indies ODI:

Nida Dar (captain), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof*, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar.

West Indies Squad for white-ball series

Hayley Matthews (c), Shemaine Campbelle (vc), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Afy Fletcher, Cherry Ann Fraser, Jannillea Glasgow, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Stafanie Taylor, Rashada Williams, Kate Wilmott.

READ: West Indies edge Pakistan in last ball thriller to seal ODI series

Pakistan Women’s team suffers major setbacks on New Zealand tour

Pakistan Women’s team on Tuesday, suffered two major setbacks as their all-format captain Nida Dar and right-arm pacer Diana Baig sustained injuries amid their ongoing white-ball tour of New Zealand.

“Pakistan captain Nida Dar was taken off the field after being struck on her face while bowling in the 44th over of the New Zealand innings in the first ODI at John Davies Oval in Queenstown,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement.

“After assessing Nida’s condition, the team physio has determined that Nida will not take any further part in today’s ODI,” the statement added.

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Right-handed batter Sadaf Shams came in as Dar’s replacement while pacer Fatima Sana served as the stand-in captain.

Ahead of the first ODI of the three-match series against New Zealand, right-arm fast bowler Diana Baig suffered a blow to the index finger of her bowling arm, which consequently ruled her out of the rest of the series.

“Right-arm fast bowler Diana Baig has been ruled out of the ODI series against New Zealand women due to a finger injury,” shared PCB.

“28-year-old Diana, while fielding in a practice session, suffered an injury to the index finger of her bowling arm. Immediately after the incident, she was taken to a local hospital for a thorough examination, including an X-ray.

“The medical reports have confirmed a horizontal fracture in Diana Baig’s index finger, making her unavailable for the ODI series against the White Ferns.

“The PCB medical team is closely monitoring her condition, and she will undergo further assessments to determine the extent of the injury and the necessary course of action for her recovery.”

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Pakistan women’s team to depart for Bangladesh tonight

LAHORE: Pakistan women’s team led by all-rounder Nida Dar is set to depart for Bangladesh from here later tonight to feature in a three-match each ODI and T20I series.

The three ODIs are part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25. The series will be played in Chattogram and Dhaka from 25 October to 10 November.

Pakistan women’s team underwent a six-day training camp here, which was largely affected by rain, but the players made full use of the indoor facilities at the National Cricket Academy and prepared themselves for the forthcoming series.

Pakistan women’s team, currently ranked eighth on the ICC T20I rankings, will take on ninth-ranked Bangladesh in the three T20Is, all scheduled in Chattogram on 25, 27 and 29 October.

In the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25, Pakistan are on fourth spot, earning 12 points from 12 matches, which included six wins and as many defeats.

The hosts have played nine matches in the championship to date, with one win, one tie and three losses. Four matches were declared as no-result due to rain.

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Aliya Riaz, who played the role of a finisher in the recently concluded T20I series against South Africa, hopes the team will perform in the same manner in the forthcoming series.

“We had a rigorous training camp despite the weather challenges in Lahore. Our team is determined and well-prepared to face Bangladesh in the upcoming series,” said Aliya.

“We are confident in our abilities and aim to deliver the same level of performance in the T20I series that we recently displayed against South Africa.

“The ODI series being part of the ICC Women’s Championship is very important and we are eager to get maximum points from the series.

“Bangladesh is a competitive team, especially in their own backyard, and we respect their abilities. Our focus is on our game plan, and once we arrive there, we will try to adapt to the wickets there as quickly as possible to ensure we perform at our best.”

Pakistan squad:

Nida Dar (captain), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Ghulam Fatima, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (wk), Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar

Player support personnel: Nahida Khan (manager), Mauhtashim Rashid (interim head coach), Saleem Jaffar (bowling coach), Taufiq Umar (batting coach), Muhammad Asfand Yar (strength and conditioning coach), Syed Nazir Ahmed (media manager), Rifat Asghar Gill (physiotherapist) and Zubair Ahmed (analyst).

READ: Pakistan suffer a setback ahead of Australia clash

Nida named Women’s team’s captain, Coles returns as head coach

LAHORE: Veteran all-rounder Nida Dar has been appointed as the national women’s team’s captain Mark Coles has been confirmed as the head coach while former Test cricketer Saleem Jaffar has been named as the chair of the Women’s Selection Committee.

The key appointments, approved by the Chair of the PCB Management Committee Najam Sethi, have been made in light of the PCB’s vision and strategy to invest further into women’s cricket and keeping in mind the upcoming international assignments, including hosting South Africa and tours to Bangladesh and New Zealand for the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 fixtures.

Overall, in an 11-month period from August 2023 to July 2024, Pakistan women’s team is scheduled to play five bilateral cricket series comprising a total of 15 ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 ODIs. In addition to these 50-over matches, Pakistan will play as many as 17 T20Is. These ODIs and T20Is will lead to the 10-team ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh and eight-team ICC Women’s World Cup in India, which will be held in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

Najam Sethi: “I want to congratulate Nida, Mark and Saleem on their appointments. Nida is a seasoned and highly-respected player, Mark has a proven track record in women’s cricket coaching and Saleem brings with him wealth of international experience and knowledge.

“We are confident this combination will not only attract and help young cricketers to fulfill their dreams of becoming top-quality international cricketers, but will also ensure the side as a whole emulates their previous performances and achievements.

“I remain confident under their supervision and guile of Nida, Mark and Saleem, Pakistan women’s cricket will grow and flourish.”

NIDA DAR

Nida won the PCB Women’s Cricketer of the Year for 2021 and replaces Bismah Maroof, who stepped down from captaincy following the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 in South Africa. Nida is one of the most experienced players in the country, having represented Pakistan in 130 T20Is and 99 ODIs.

She is also the leading wicket-taker in T20I women’s cricket with 126 wickets to her name.

Nida was also a member of the Pakistan side’s that won the Asian Games gold in 2010 and 2014 in Guangzhou, China, and Incheon, South Korea. In 2019, she became the first Pakistan women’s cricketer to feature in Australia’s women’s franchise cricket.

In the ICC Women’s Rankings, Nida is presently ranked 32^nd, 24^th and ninth in ODI batters, bowlers and all-rounders’ categories, respectively. In T20Is, Nida is the 38^th ranked batter, 21^st ranked bowler and seventh ranked all-rounder.

“I am honored to have been appointed as the captain of the Pakistan women’s cricket team. It is a huge responsibility, and I am excited to lead the team in the upcoming events. I want to thank the PCB for entrusting me with this responsibility and will do my best to take the team forward.

“I also want to thank Bismah Maroof for her services as the captain of the team. She has done a fantastic job, and I hope to continue her legacy and lead the team with the same passion and commitment.

“The upcoming season of women’s cricket is going to be a tough one. But we are fortunate to have some young exciting talent in our pool of players, which I am confident will significantly improve during the course and also help the side to produce strong performances.

“As a captain, my objective remains to inspire and mentor these young players to become quality cricketers. I will be extremely satisfied and content if we first break and then cement our place in the upper half of the ICC Women’s Championship before slowly working our way into the top-three.”

MARK COLES

Coles previously served as Pakistan women’s cricket team head coach from 2017 to 2019 and during his time, the side achieved major results, including a fifth finish in the ICC Women’s Championship 2017-2020 that paved the way for the side to feature in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022.

Also during his time, Sana Mir became the most successful ODI spinner in the world, Javeria Khan and Bismah Maroof were named to lead a multi-nation Women’s Global Development squad and Nida Dar became the first Pakistan woman player to earn a contract in the WBBL.

Present members of Coles’ coaching team are Mohtashim Rasheed (fielding coach), Taufeeq Umar (batting coach) and Saleem Jaffar (bowling coach).

“I am grateful to the PCB for giving me yet another opportunity to work with the talented Pakistan women’s team. It has been a privilege to work with such a talented group of players and I look forward to the exciting times ahead as we aim to improve our previous performances and achievements.

“We have a lot of potential in the team, and I look forward to helping the players to give their best and achieve success on the international stage.”

SALEEM JAFFAR

Saleem Jaffar will head the selection panel, which also includes Asmavia Iqbal, Marina Iqbal and Mohtashim Rasheed.

Saleem has had a few stints with the women’s side, with the last being as interim head coach at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup South Africa. As an international cricketer, Saleem took 36 wickets in 14 Tests and 40 wickets in 39 ODIs from 1986 to 1992.

“These are exciting times to work in women’s cricket as not only a lot of competitive cricket is lined-up, but we have in our pool some young but extremely talented and skilled cricketers, who have all the ingredients to become top-ranked international players. It is our collective responsibility to help them achieve their career objectives and targets, and as chair of the selection committee and bowling coach, I look forward to this challenge.”

Pakistan women’s team upcoming bilateral series

Aug/Sep 2023 – South Africa tour to Pakistan (three ODIs & three T20Is)

Oct/Nov 2023 – Pakistan tour to Bangladesh (three ODIs & three T20Is)

Nov/Dec 2023 – Pakistan tour to New Zealand (three ODIs & three T20Is)

Feb 2024 – West Indies tour to Pakistan (three ODIs & five T20Is)

Jul 2024 – Pakistan tour to England (three ODIs & three T20Is)

Nida Dar receives ICC T20I team of the year cap

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan veteran all-rounder Nida Dar received the commemorative cap of the ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year.

Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee Najam Sethi presented the cap to Dar during the third exhibition match of the Women’s League on Saturday.

She was included in the Women’s T20I team of the year announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in January following her all-round exploits last year.

The 36-year-old was also nominated for the ICC Women’s T20I Player of the Year award. She produced some outstanding performances for Pakistan in last year’s Women’s Asia Cup, where the all-rounder scored 145 runs in six matches at a phenomenal average of 72.50, and also grabbed eight wickets at a meagre 14.87 runs a piece.

She played a crucial role in Pakistan Women’s team’s sensational win against arch-rivals India as she raised an unbeaten 56 and then returned excellent bowling figures of 2/23. Her brilliance with both bat and ball steered Pakistan to the semi-finals, where they eventually lost to Sri Lanka by just a run.

With 15 wickets at an average of 18.33 and an economy rate of 5.50 in T20Is in 2022, veteran off-spinner Dar enjoyed one of the best bowling years in her career.

It may be noted here that the final game of the three exhibition matches is currently underway at Pindi Cricket Stadium where Dar-led Super Women play Bismah Maroof-led Amazons.

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