Nida Dar, often regarded as Pakistan's greatest T20 player, continues to be a vital figure in the country's women's cricket team. Born on January 2, 1987, in Gujranwala, Punjab, Dar comes from a cricketing family; her father, Rashid Hassan, was a first-class cricketer, and several members of her extended family were part of a local cricket club.
Dar made her international debut in the 2010 T20 World Cup against Sri Lanka in the West Indies, followed by her ODI debut a few months later against Ireland in Potchefstroom, South Africa. Her all-round abilities as a right-handed batter and right-arm off-break bowler have been instrumental in her success.
Career Milestones
Nida Dar is the most successful women's T20I bowler from Pakistan. She is the first Pakistani cricketer to take 100 wickets in T20Is, achieving this milestone in June 2021 during a series against the West Indies. In the same series, she picked up her 100th wicket by dismissing Deandra Dottin, a feat that earned her recognition from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Dar has been a standout player in several international tournaments. In the 2018 Women's Twenty20 Asia Cup, she took her first five-wicket haul and finished the tournament as the highest wicket-taker for Pakistan. She was also named the standout player in the 2018 ICC Women's World Twenty20 tournament by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Leadership and Recent Performances
In April 2023, Nida Dar was appointed as the captain of the Pakistan womens national cricket team. However, following a disappointing performance at the Asia Cup this year, she was relieved of her captaincy duties. Fatima Sana, a promising 22-year-old all-rounder, has taken over the captaincy role and expressed confidence in the team's capabilities ahead of the ICC T20 Women's World Cup 2024.
Despite recent struggles with form and fitness, Dar remains a crucial asset to the team. With 1,964 runs in 134 WT20I innings and a record 142 wickets, her utility is undeniable. Her experience and ability to change the game with both bat and ball make her an essential part of the squad.
ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2024
As Pakistan prepares to face Sri Lanka in the ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2024, Nida Dar's presence is expected to be pivotal. The match, scheduled for October 3 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, marks the beginning of Pakistan's campaign in the tournament. Pakistan's squad, now led by Fatima Sana, includes other key players like Muneeba Ali, Sadaf Shamas, and Aliya Riaz, all of whom will be crucial in the team's performance.
For more detailed information on Nida Dar's career and achievements, you can visit her profile on Wikipedia.
