[WATCH] Pakistan skipper Bismah Maroof dedicates half-century to her baby Fatima

[WATCH] Pakistan skipper Bismah Maroof dedicates half-century to her baby Fatima

Pakistan Captain Bismah Maroof becomes the only Pakistani player to score a half-century against Australia on Tuesday in the ICC Women’s World Cup. She came back to cricket after her childbirth. Maroof dedicated the half-century to her 7-month old daughter Fatima who was in the dressing room, with a baby cradling gesture.

The 30-year-old scored an unbeaten 78 runs off 122 balls and smashed eight boundaries. Her scores helped the team reach a respectable total of 190/6. But domineering Australia chased the target in only 34.4 overs with seven wickets in hand at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

Pakistan Cricket Board’s maternity rule allows the mother “to travel with a support person of her choice to assist in caring for her infant child.” Maroof was travelled to New Zealand, after her maternity leave, with her daughter and mother. Before their match with Australia, photographs of Maroof entering the stadium with her daughter went viral.

Also Read | Mithali Raj becomes the first woman cricketer to feature in six World Cups; equals Sachin Tendulkar’s record

“You are power, amazing & can pursue any dreams”: Bismah Maroof’s message on Womens’ Day

Bismah Maroof
Bismah Maroof

As the world celebrates International Women’s Day today on March 8, Bismah Maroof wrote on Twitter after the match: “It would have been great to have a win on #WomensDay but I want to tell all the women, especially little girls around the globe today: you are powerful, amazing & can pursue any dreams, no matter what. P.S thanks for all the love and prayers for me & my Fatima #blessed.”

In the first match against India, Pakistan lost by 107 runs. But the Indian players seemed to have completely accepted their defeat in front of baby Fatima. The Indian players gathered around baby Fatima in the arms of her mother Bismah Maroof and started playing with her.

“Coming back post pregnancy in 6 months and playing international cricket is so inspiring. @bismahmaroof setting an example for sportswomen across the globe. Lots of love to baby Fatima from India and I hope she picks the bat just like you bcoz lefties are special.” wrote Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana in an Instagram post.

Also Read | Sunil Gavaskar issues clarification after backlash over comments on Shane Warne

YouTube video