Nida Dar Explained: Pakistan Women's Record-Breaking Off-Spin Allrounder
How a right-arm off-spin bowling allrounder from Sheikhupura became Pakistan Women's most experienced bowler — the first Pakistan Women player to take 100 Women's T20I wickets and one of women's cricket's most complete allrounders.
Nida Dar (born 14 November 1985 in Sheikhupura, Pakistan) is a right-arm off-spin bowler and right-handed middle-order batter who plays for Pakistan Women. She is Pakistan Women's most experienced bowling allrounder — a player who takes wickets consistently with off-spin and contributes batting in the middle order, making her one of Pakistan Women's most complete and irreplaceable players across all three international formats.
100 Women's T20I Wickets: A Historic Milestone
Nida Dar became the first Pakistan Women player to take 100 wickets in Women's T20I cricket — a historic milestone for Pakistan Women's bowling and for South Asian women's cricket broadly. Taking 100 international wickets in any format requires sustained high-level performance over years: consistently being selected, consistently performing under international pressure, and remaining fit enough to bowl regularly across multiple seasons of international cricket.
Off-Spin Bowling Allrounder
Dar bowls right-arm off-break — finger-spin that turns from the off side to leg for a right-handed batter. In the sub-continental conditions where Pakistan Women play many of their home matches, off-spin that grips and turns on dry pitches is particularly effective. Her bowling combines tight lines with subtle variations in pace and loop that create wicket-taking opportunities. As a genuine allrounder, she also provides Pakistan Women with middle-order batting solidity.
Longevity in Pakistan Women's Cricket
Dar has played international cricket for Pakistan Women across multiple decades — debuting in the 2000s and remaining a first-choice selection into the 2020s. This longevity is exceptional in any form of cricket, and particularly so in women's cricket where professional infrastructure was limited for much of her career. Her ability to remain competitive across such a long career reflects exceptional fitness, skill maintenance, and drive to keep improving.
Pakistan Women's Development
Dar has been Pakistan Women's most consistent bowling performer through a period of significant change in Pakistan Women's cricket — including changes in leadership, ICC tournament qualifying structures, and the establishment of more professional domestic competition. Her consistency has provided Pakistan Women with a reliable wicket-taking anchor even as younger players develop around her.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Nida Dar?
Nida Dar (born 14 November 1985, Sheikhupura) is Pakistan Women's most experienced bowling allrounder — a right-arm off-spin bowler and middle-order batter who was the first Pakistan Women player to take 100 Women's T20I wickets. She won ICC Women's T20I Cricketer of the Year in 2022.
What record does Nida Dar hold for Pakistan Women?
She was the first Pakistan Women player to take 100 wickets in Women's T20I cricket — a historic milestone requiring sustained high-level performance across multiple seasons of international cricket.
What is Nida Dar's bowling style?
She bowls right-arm off-break — finger-spin that turns from the off side to leg for a right-handed batter. Her off-spin is particularly effective in sub-continental conditions and combines tight lines with pace and loop variations.