Best of Maroof: A look back at the finest knocks from the Pakistan icon
Bismah Maroof, Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in both women's ODIs and T20Is, retired from international cricket on Thursday, 25 April.
In a career spanning over 17 years, Maroof played 276 international matches for Pakistan, 96 of which she captained, scoring 6262 runs. She was a prolific run-scorer, leading Pakistan with 3369 runs in ODIs and 2893 runs in T20Is, the most in each format for her team. Her final game was Pakistan's ICC Women's Championship series ODI against West Indies.
Her presence as a batting mainstay has always been an asset for Pakistan. Take a trip down memory lane by revisitng some of her finest knocks in white-ball cricket:
99 v South Africa on March 13, 2015 in Sharjah (ODI)
Maroof’s highest-ever score in ODI cricket came during the first ODI of the three-match ICC Women's Championship series against South Africa
Skipper Sana Mir’s decision to bat first received an early setback when opener Marina Iqbal fell for six. However, Maroof reconstructed the innings in her typical safe fashion, while also maintaining a good run rate throughout.
She hit seven fours during her knock, but unfortunately fell one short of a maiden hundred when she was run out for 99. Her fighting innings propelled Pakistan to 216/6 which proved to be a defendable total. Maroof, who has 44 ODI wickets at 26.68, also contributed with her bowling, returning 1/15 in Pakistan’s 57-run win.
78 v Australia on March 08, 2022 in Mount Maunganui (ODI)*
As captain, Maroof’s ODI batting average jumped significantly. While she finished her career with an overall ODI average of 29.55, she averaged 44.32 as the captain of the side.
Her fighting fifty during Pakistan's league stage match against Australia in the last ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022 showcased her prowess both as a captain and a batter.
The Women in Green were sent in to bat first by Australia and were in early trouble after Megan Schutt and Ellyse Perry sent back the openers to leave Pakistan at 11/2. The wickets continued to tumble even as Maroof, who had walked in at No.3 stuck around, and soon Pakistan were 44/4.
A 99-run partnership with Aliya Riaz helped Pakistan post 190/6 in their allotted overs. Though Australia eventually took the game by seven wickets, Maroof’s unbeaten 78, which featured eight boundaries, was an exceptional innings against a high-quality bowling attack.
This is the highest score by a Pakistan batter against Australia in Women's ODIs.
43 v West Indies on September 10, 2011 in Providence (T20I)*
West Indies were already leading the four-game T20I series 2-0 after winning the first two games by a close margin. West Indies scored 115/5 in the first innings, and a series win looked almost certain when the Women in Maroon had Pakistan at 32/4 in pursuit.
Maroof then came together with the hard-hitting Javeria Khan and rebuilt the innings. Maroof’s 43*, with two fours and a six, took the pressure off and helped Pakistan close in on the target along with Javeria. Their stand of 83 is the highest ever for the fifth wicket for Pakistan in Women's T20Is.
Though Javeria lost her wicket with just one run in sight, Maroof remained unbeaten and led Pakistan to a five-wicket win over the West Indies. This was Pakistan's first-ever win over West Indies in the T20I format.
91 v New Zealand on November 13, 2016 in Lincoln (ODI)*
Maroof played the sheet anchor for most part of her career, with her strike rate lurking around the late 50s in the ODIs. This game was an exception, as it saw Maroof unleash impressive strokeplay to score 91* off 98 balls.
This was the third ODI of the series, and carried crucial ICC Women's Championship points. New Zealand were already leading the five-game series 2-0.
Maroof hit seven fours during her knock and helped Pakistan to 263/6 against an attack featuring Lea Tahuhu, Hannah Rowe, and Suzie Bates.
However, a century from Amy Satterthwaite helped the White Ferns overcome Pakistan's target.
Captain Bismah Maroof is a leader for Pakistan both on and off the field at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023
68 v India on February 12, 2023 in Cape Town (T20I)*
A World Cup encounter between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, whether in the ODI or T20I format, is an opportunity for the respective players to enter the cricketing lore through their performances.
Maroof stood out during her side’s last ICC meeting with India. This was the first game for both teams in the tournament, and Pakistan elected to bat first. Maroof then backed her call by hitting a solid 68* in the first innings. Her knock included seven fours and helped Pakistan to a competitive 149/4. This was the highest score by a Pakistan Women's player against India in the T20I format.
Her field placements and strategies put the Women in Blue under pressure during the chase as the wickets fell while the run rate shot closer to eight per over. It took a gem of an innings from Jemimah Rodrigues (53*) to help India cross the line in the 19th over.