Lahore: Javeria Khan, a pioneering figure in Pakistan women’s cricket, has decided to retire from international cricket, culminating a remarkable 15-year journey that began with her One Day International (ODI) debut against Sri Lanka.
Expressing her gratitude and reflecting on her journey, Javeria stated, “I want to call it a day and announce my retirement, however, I will be available for league cricket.” She extended heartfelt thanks to her family, teammates, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), her department ZTBL, and her fans for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout her career.
Javeria Khan leaves behind an impressive legacy, having represented the Pakistan women’s team in 228 international matches, accumulating a total of 4,903 runs, which includes two centuries and 25 half-centuries. Additionally, she has contributed with 28 international wickets, showcasing her all-round capabilities on the field.
Currently holding the distinction of being the second leading run-scorer in both ODIs and T20Is for Pakistan, Javeria Khan stands alongside Bismah Maroof as the only women cricketers from the country to have surpassed 2,000 runs in each format.
Her illustrious career saw participation in four 50-over World Cups and all eight T20 World Cups, where she played pivotal roles for the team. Notably, Javeria was instrumental in Pakistan’s gold medal triumphs in the 2010 and 2014 Asian Games.
In addition to her exploits as a player, Javeria Khan showcased leadership qualities, captaining the Pakistan women’s team in 17 ODIs and 16 T20Is, including guiding the side in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cups of 2018 and 2020.
Born in Karachi and aged 35, Javeria’s commitment to cricket extended beyond her playing days. Last year, she participated in the PCB Level 2 Cricket Coach course, highlighting her dedication to the sport’s development.
As Javeria Khan bids farewell to the international arena, her departure marks the end of an era in Pakistan cricket, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and inspiration for generations to come. While she steps away from representing her country on the global stage, her passion for the game ensures her continued presence in league cricket, contributing to the sport’s growth and nurturing future talents.
