Nida Dar available for Pakistan selection after year‑long hiatus
Nida Dar (Source: Getty Images)
Published - 18 Jun 2026, 11:09 PM• Read time - 2 mins
Pakistan's veteran allrounder Nida Dar has made herself available for selection after taking more than a year-long break from cricket. Dar, 39, had decided to opt for an indefinite break from the game to prioritise her mental health in April last year.
The spin-bowling allrounder had mentioned that numerous personal and professional reasons were taking a toll on her mental health, and she needed to focus on her mental well-being.
"After taking time to focus on myself and regain my strength, I am happy to share that I am back and available for Pakistan Cricket Team once again," Dar posted on X on Thursday. "Ready to give my best, work hard and contribute whenever the team needs me. Thank you to everyone who supported me during this journey."
While Dar has expressed her desire to represent the country again, it would be difficult for her to make her way back as the selectors seemed to have moved on from her even before she had announced her break.
After taking time to focus on myself and regain my strength, I am happy to share that I am back and available for Pakistan Cricket Team once again. 🇵🇰
— Nida Dar (@CoolNidadar) June 18, 2026
Ready to give my best, work hard and contribute whenever the team needs me.
Thank you to everyone who supported me during this… pic.twitter.com/CZTKXymSTI
Her last international appearance came at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in 2024 against New Zealand, which resulted in a 54-run loss for Pakistan. She was not picked for the ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025 qualifiers, an event hosted and dominated by Pakistan as they won all five games to qualify for the marquee tournament.
However, irrespective of whether she is picked in the national side again, Dar remains one of the most legendary figures in the women's game in Pakistan. She is the leading wicket-taker in WT20Is for Pakistan with 144 scalps in 160 games at an economy rate of 5.70.
Dar is the second-highest run-scorer (2091) in the shortest format for Pakistan behind Bismah Maroof (2893). The Gujranwala-born has claimed 108 wickets in ODIs. She has also aggregated 1690 runs in the 50-over format.
