Auckland HEARTS batter Saachi Shahri has announced her retirement from professional cricket.

Shahri, 27, represented the Auckland women from 2016/17 until the end of last season, accruing over 2,500 runs in 139 appearances across formats as a predominantly top order batter.

Her season-by-season record shows a steady incline in her batting average, with 2024/25 being a banner year for Shahri as she hit 430 runs in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield at an average of 43.

Notably, Shahri balanced a high achieving career as an Engineering Planning Analyst for Air New Zealand with her time as a member of the HEARTS.

HEARTS coach Donovan Grobbelaar mentions this dedication and work ethic as a key feature of Shahri’s time in Auckland colours: “Saachi has been an outstanding servant to the Hearts, showing unwavering dedication to her craft and going above and beyond to grow as a player.

“I’ve always admired her commitment not just to her game, but to her work off the field as well.

“We’ll certainly miss her this season, especially her ability to pull a few Air New Zealand strings now and then! We wish her all the very best for the future and hope to see her on the other side of the rope at Eden Park this summer,” says Grobbelaar.

Evan Jones, Auckland Cricket’s General Manager of Performance & Talent, echoes these sentiments: “On the field, Saachi has consistently led by example with her exceptional batting, while off the field, her ability to maintain a successful full-time career has shown others that it's possible to pursue professional sport without sacrificing professional ambitions.  

“We wish Saachi every success as she focuses on this exciting new chapter of her life,” says Jones.  

The first round of Domestic Women’s Contracts for 2025/26 will be released in the coming weeks.

Saachi Shahri’s full statement:

“It’s been an absolute privilege to play for Auckland and be part of the Hearts for so many years. I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to do something I love while also working full time, and I hope that shows others it’s possible to chase both.

I’ve always loved batting, especially being out in the middle, but there were so many special moments spent in the nets trying to shape the kind of batter people got to see on game day. It’s a journey I will cherish and which has allowed me to play on some of the best grounds in the country, including the unique opportunity to play inside the main Eden Park stadium!

I’ve been really fortunate to have had great people in my corner including coaches and supporters who cared and backed me all the way. I’ve been surrounded by teammates who are not only incredibly talented but also genuinely good humans. Being part of that kind of environment has shaped me both on and off the field, and it’s something I’ll always be grateful for.”

Article added: Tuesday 22 July 2025