Former Pakistan Women’s Cricket team captain Nida Dar has announced a temporary break from all kinds of cricket to focus on her mental health after what she described as a period of personal and professional challenges.

The 38-year-old Allrounder published the message on social media late Thursday and appealed to privacy as she steps away from the game.

“A lot of things have happened in the past with me personally and professionally, and this has affected my mental health,” Dar wrote.

“For this reason I take a break for a while from cricket to focus on myself. Please save privacy. Thanks. #Respekt.”

Dar, one of Pakistan’s most experienced players, has represented his country in 130 T20 Internationals and 99 one-day international.

Known for her consistency and leadership, she had recently returned to training in preparation for ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Faisalabad.

However, she did not make the last 15 player team after not fulfilling Fitness Benchmarks.

In addition to going away from international claims, DAR has also withdrawn from the upcoming National T20 Cup and instead chosen to take a complete break from competitive cricket.

Her decision is coming as Pakistan Women’s team celebrated a successful qualification campaign for ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, secured five straight victories and defeated Bangladesh with seven wickets in their last match on April 19 at the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) Ground.

While praising the team’s performance, Pakistan repeated the cricket board (PCB) President Mohsin Naqvi that National Women’s team is not traveling to India for the tournament, in line with a previously agreed “hybrid model” similar to the one adopted for ICC Men’s Champions Trophy.

“Pakistan does not travel to India as this formula has already been agreed,” Naqvi said during a visit to the LCCA soil.