Once dubbed a “serious talent” by Wasim Akram, Pakistan’s Ayesha Naseem, 18, has announced her retirement from international cricket citing her devotion to Islamic principles.

The hard-hitting batter with a bright future stepped away from the sport at an age when most players start their journey in top-flight cricket.

Efforts to convince her to continue playing, by Pakistan women’s team captain Nida Dar and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), did not yield the desired results.

A source in the Board confirmed that Ayesha had first informed the PCB in February-March that she had left playing cricket. “She was contacted for a training camp and assignment but she told the Board she no longer wanted to play cricket,” the source said. He said Ayesha made it clear that it was her personal decision and she “wanted to be a practising Muslim and live her life as per Islamic teachings”.

“Efforts were made even by Nida Dar and some Pakistan players to convince her that she can be a practising Muslim and also play cricket at the same time but Ayesha refused to rethink her decision.”

She represented Pakistan in four ODIs and 30 T20Is.

Coming from a conservative family, a source aware of the developments said that Ayesha had got permission to start playing cricket with great difficulty, but once she started touring with the Pakistan team, she faced problems at home.

In the past many high-profile Pakistan men’s team players turned to religion while playing cricket. The likes of Inzamam-ul Haq and Saqlain Mushtaq maintained their ties with cricket while also becoming part of a Tableegi Jamaat.