Nida Dar

Nida Dar is a Pakistani cricketer who performs as a right-handed batter and a right-arm off break bowler. She holds the distinction of being the most successful women's T20I bowler.

Early life and education

Nida Dar was born on 2 January 1987 in Punjab. Her father, Rashid Dar, worked as a first-class cricketer.

Career

Dar began her international journey when she made her Women's Twenty20 International debut against Sri Lanka on 6 May 2010. She traveled to Basseterre, St. Kitts for this match. Shortly after her debut, she participated in the 2010 Asian Games in China. The Pakistan team secured the Asian women's cricket gold medal during that tournament.

She made her One Day International debut on 6 October 2010 in Potchefstroom, South Africa. This match took place against Ireland. Her career progressed through domestic cricket for several teams, including Pakistan Universities, Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited, Sialkot and Sydney Thunder.

A significant milestone occurred on 6 June 2018, during a Women's Twenty20 Asia Cup match against Sri Lanka. Dar recorded her first five-wicket haul in this game. These statistics represent the best bowling figures by a Pakistan woman in WT20Is. She ended that specific tournament as the highest wicket-taker for Pakistan after taking eleven dismissals in five matches.

The International Cricket Council named her the standout player in the Pakistan team following the 2018 ICC Women's World Twenty20 in the West Indies. She joined the squad for the 2020 ICC Women's T20 World Cup in Australia. During a match against England, she played her 100th WT20I match.

In June 2021, Dar participated in an away series against the West Indies across all formats. She achieved a historic feat during the opening T20I match by dismissing Deandra Dottin in the 10th over of the first innings. This dismissal marked her 100th wicket. Consequently, she became the first bowler—male or female—to take 100 wickets in T20I cricket for Pakistan. The Pakistan Cricket Board congratulated her on this achievement.

Dar competed in the 2021 Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe. She served as the vice-captain of the Pakistan team during the 2022 Women's Cricket World Cup in New Zealand. Her participation continued at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.

The Pakistan Cricket Board appointed her as captain of the women's national team in April 2023. She led the side for 24 WT20Is and 13 WODIs until August 2024. Fatima Sana succeeded her as the all-format captain at that time.

In December 2023, Dar captained Pakistan to a historic victory against the New Zealand women's national cricket team. This win marked the first T20I series victory for Pakistan outside of Asia and Ireland. It also made them the first Asian team to defeat New Zealand on their home soil. She was later named in the squad for the 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup.

Personal life

Dar is known by the nickname "Lady Boom Boom". This title alludes to her batting firepower and references the explosive style of Shahid Afridi. He is a former Pakistani cricketer often called Boom Boom Afridi.

Awards and recognition

She received the PCB's Women's Cricketer of the Year award in 2021.