Nida Dar succeeds Bismah Maroof as captain of Pakistan Women

Maroof stepped down following a disappointing 2023 Women's T20 World Cup campaign

Pakistan have appointed Nida Dar as their new all-format captain.

The 36-year-old will form part of a new leadership team with the returning head coach, Mark Coles, as the Pakistan Cricket Board look to invest further into the women's game.

Saleem Jaffar has been appointed head of the women's selection committee.

Dar, the leading wicket-taker in women's T20Is, replaces Bismah Maroof, who quit the role in February after a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign. 

The bowler will have to come to terms with the role quickly. Between August 2023 and July 2024, Pakistan are due to play five bilateral series, consisting of 15 ICC Women's Championship 2022-25 ODIs and 17 T20Is.

^{Dar replaces Bismah Maroof as captain [Rodger Bosch/Getty Images]}

This intense schedule is in preparation for the 2024 T20 World Cup in Bangladesh and 2025 50-over World Cup in India.

Dar, a veteran of 129 international appearances, is relishing the challenge of leading a squad of "young exciting talent".

"It is a huge responsibility, and I am excited to lead the team in the upcoming events," Dar said. "I want to thank the PCB for entrusting me with this responsibility and will do my best to take the team forward.

"I also want to thank Bismah Maroof for her services as the captain of the team. She has done a fantastic job, and I hope to continue her legacy and lead the team with the same passion and commitment.

"The upcoming season of women's cricket is going to be a tough one. But we are fortunate to have some young exciting talent in our pool of players, which I am confident will significantly improve during the course and also help the side to produce strong performances.

"As a captain, my objective remains to inspire and mentor these young players to become quality cricketers. I will be extremely satisfied and content if we first break and then cement our place in the upper half of the ICC Women's Championship before slowly working our way into the top-three."