Cricketing Greats: A Tribute to Bismah Maroof’s Most Memorable Innings

With a career spanning over 17 years, Bismah Maroof has been a stalwart of Pakistan’s cricket team, playing 276 international matches, captaining 96, and scoring a remarkable 6262 runs. She has been a consistent run-scorer, leading Pakistan with 3369 runs in ODIs and 2893 runs in T20Is, the highest in each format for her team. Her final game was Pakistan’s ICC Women’s Championship series ODI against West Indies.

Maroof’s Shocking Retirement from International Cricket

Maroof’s consistent performance as a batter has been a significant asset for Pakistan. Let’s take a journey down memory lane and revisit some of her most impressive innings in white-ball cricket:

99 v South Africa, March 13, 2015, Sharjah (ODI)

Maroof’s highest-ever score in ODI cricket was achieved during the first ODI of the three-match ICC Women’s Championship series against South Africa. Despite an early setback, Maroof rebuilt the innings in her characteristic safe style, maintaining a good run rate throughout. Her knock of 99, just one short of a maiden hundred, propelled Pakistan to a defendable total of 216/6. Maroof also contributed with her bowling, returning 1/15 in Pakistan’s 57-run win.

78 v Australia, March 08, 2022, Mount Maunganui (ODI)

As captain, Maroof’s ODI batting average increased significantly. 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. Despite early setbacks, 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, September 10, 2011, Providence (T20I)

In the third game of the four-match T20I series, Maroof’s unbeaten 43 helped Pakistan secure their first-ever win over West Indies in the T20I format. Her knock, which included two fours and a six, took the pressure off and helped Pakistan close in on the target.

91 v New Zealand, November 13, 2016, Lincoln (ODI)

In the third ODI of the series against New Zealand, Maroof showcased impressive strokeplay to score 91* off 98 balls. Her knock helped Pakistan to 263/6 against an attack featuring Lea Tahuhu, Hannah Rowe, and Suzie Bates.

68 v India, February 12, 2023, Cape Town (T20I)

In a World Cup encounter between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, Maroof stood out with a solid 68* in the first innings. Her knock, the highest score by a Pakistan Women’s player against India in the T20I format, helped Pakistan to a competitive 149/4.