Nain Abidi returns to Pakistan squad for Women's T20 Asia Cup
The batsman had taken a break from cricket after the Women's World Cup in July last year and had missed all international cricket since
ESPNcricinfo staff
12-May-2018
Nain Abidi punches the ball down the ground • Getty Images
Thirty-two-year-old batsman Nain Abidi has returned to the Pakistan side for the Women's T20 Asia Cup, after an eight-month break from cricket. She was named in the 15-member squad, along with four reserves, for the six-nation tournament to be played in Malaysia starting June 3.
Abidi last played international cricket during the World Cup last year in England and subsequently moved to the USA after her marriage earlier in 2017. She returned to domestic cricket for the Zarai Tarakiati Bank women's team earlier this month and had a productive tournament with two fifties, including an unbeaten 85 off 65 in the final on Thursday that helped them clinch the Departmental T20
trophy. Abidi missed Pakistan's last two outings, the ICC Women's Championship matches against New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
"Staying away from cricket is always difficult. I have played professional cricket for 11 years, so going and staying away from cricket was the most difficult part after marriage," Abidi told the Express Tribune recently.
Bismah Maroof continues to lead the team, following a 2-1 series win against Sri Lanka in March.
The Women's Asia Cup will consist of Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
Pakistan women squad: Bismah Maroof (capt), Muneeba Ali, Nahida Khan, Javeria Rauf, Nain Abidi, Umaima Sohail, Javeria Khan, Sidra Nawaz, Nida Dar, Kainat Imtiaz, Sana Mir, Nashra Sandhu, Anam Amin, Natalia Pervaiz, Diana Baig. Reserves: Fareeha Mehmood, Rameen Shamim, Fazila Ikhlaq, Aliya Riaz.