New Delhi: Ayesha Naseem, 18-year-old Pakistan’s cricket sensation, made a shocking announcement to retire from the international cricket on Thursday, July 20. The right-hand batter made her international debut in 2020 at that time she was just 15-year-old.

Glance at Ayesha’s career

She represented Pakistan in four One Day International (ODI) and 30 T20 international (T20s), her breakthrough performance came during the T20 World Cup 2022, when impressed with a fighting knock 24 off 20 balls against the heavyweight Australia.

Wasim Akram parises Ayesha

Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram, once praised the Ayesha as a ‘serious talent.’ Ayesha chosen to bid farewell to the sport in which she was committed, according various media sources.

Aisha reportedly cited a desire to follow Islamic principles as the reason for her decision to retire from cricket.

She has reportedly approached the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to approve her retirement, reportedly concluding a chapter in her sporting life that began with her international debut in 2020.

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Leaves cricket for faith

Ayesha reported to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about her retirement that, “I’m leaving cricket and want live my life according to Islam

However, there is no official confirmation from PCB yet. Having racked up more than 400 runs in her 34 international appearances, Aisha’s retirement came as a surprise to many who saw her as a future star of Pakistani cricket, especially the white ball format.

Celebrities who bid farewell to career for Islam

Ayesha’s decision to retire young may be similar to Indian actress Zaira Wasim’s decision to give up a successful Bollywood career at age 18, also because she wanted to maintain her religious beliefs. The Kashmiri actor rose to fame with Dhangal, one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time.

Here are some other professionals who have retired because of their religious beliefs. retired for religious reasons Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens): Legendary British singer-songwriter converted to Islam in the late 1970s and has since retired from the music industry. Although he later returned to music, he focused more on Islamic-themed songs.

Khabib Nurmagomedov: The undefeated Russian mixed martial artist retired from the UFC in 2020, citing a promise he made to his mother not to continue fighting after his father’s death and to devote himself to his Islamic faith.