Aimen Anwar Retires from International Cricket, Begins New Role as Match Referee
Pakistan women’s fast bowler Aimen Anwar has announced her retirement from international cricket, bringing an eight-year international career to an end. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also confirmed her retirement.
Aimen represented Pakistan between July 2016 and February 2023, featuring in eight One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 37 T20 Internationals. Across 45 international appearances, she claimed 33 wickets—four in ODIs and 29 in T20Is.
The Karachi-born cricketer first came into the spotlight in January 2010 when she represented Karachi Under-19 in the PCB’s National Under-19 Women’s Championship. Her performances eventually earned her a place in the national setup, and she made her international debut in 2016.
Aimen made her T20I debut against England in Southampton in 2016, becoming Pakistan’s 37th player to feature in the format. The following year, she made her ODI debut against Bangladesh in Colombo and became Pakistan’s 76th women’s ODI player.
During her international career, Aimen was part of Pakistan’s squads for several major ICC events. She featured in the squads for the 2018, 2020 and 2022-23 ICC Women’s T20 World Cups and also represented Pakistan at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 in New Zealand.
Following her playing career, Aimen remained involved in cricket through broadcasting. She successfully completed an induction course for match referees in January this year, opening a new chapter in her cricket career.
She has now begun working as a match referee, making her debut in the ongoing National Women’s Under-19 Tournament.
Aimen’s retirement marks the conclusion of her international playing career, but her transition into match officiating and broadcasting means she will continue to contribute to Pakistan women’s cricket in new roles.