Nida Dar opens up about mental health (Source:@ICC,x.com)
In a significant development, Pakistan's Nida Dar has withdrawn from national selection to focus on her mental health. The 38-year-old veteran all-rounder made the announcement through a heartfelt social media post on Friday.
She highlighted the toll that recent personal and professional challenges have taken on her well-being.
Nida Dar Takes Break From Cricket For Mental Well-being
According to reports, Nida Dar was called up for national selection ahead of the ICC Women's World Cup qualifiers recently held in Lahore.
Although she appeared for a fitness test, she chose not to join the training camp and later withdrew altogether. Her absence was also noted during the recently concluded women’s national T20 Cup.
"In the past few months, a lot has happened around me personally and professionally, which has taken a toll on my mental health. Therefore, I have decided to take a break from cricket to focus on myself. I request everyone to respect my privacy during this time," she said.
It is important to mention that she last represented Pakistan against New Zealand in Dubai in October 2023.
Dar’s choice to prioritise mental health over immediate national duty sets a powerful example and may pave the way for more open conversations around the psychological demands of sports.
Nida Dar's Stellar Career
With her career spanning over a decade, Nida Dar is a legend in Pakistan women’s cricket. She became the first Pakistan woman to claim 100 wickets in T20Is. She has played in a total of 270 international matches across ODIs and T20Is. She has featured in 112 ODI matches in which she has taken 108 wickets.
The star player has also made a significant contribution with the bat, in 112 matches she has made 1690 runs at a strike-rate of 63.36.
Known for her aggressive middle-order batting and reliable right-arm off-spin, Dar has been a vital player for her team.
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