Pakistan women cricket captain Bismah Maroof’s comeback amid motherhood has left many Pakistanis in awe and visuals of her six-month-old daughter Fatima with Indian players is going viral on social media. In the second match of her comeback, Maroof scored a half-century against Australia and dedicated it to her baby girl.
Maroof, the first beneficiary of the new Pakistan Cricket Board policy, which entitled her to 12 months of paid maternity leave and a guaranteed contract extension, has made a comeback with the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup after a two-year break. “She is still the best middle order batter in the team,” reported The Bridge.
Maroof’s courage, “shattering societal myths and taboos about women, pregnancy and motherhood” is being applauded in Pakistan and beyond, including Indian opening batter Smriti Mandhana who wrote a heartwarming post on Instagram calling the former “inspiring”.
“Coming back post pregnancy in 6 months and playing international cricket is so inspiring. @bismahmaroof setting an example for sports women 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,” Mandhana, herself a southpaw, lauded Maroof in her Instagram story.
“Maroof’s commitment to nailing both motherhood and cricket is truly an inspiration for not just women in sports but also women in other careers and pursuits, especially in Pakistan, a country where women often have to quit their jobs after becoming mothers because of societal pressure or lack of institutional support,” said Dawn in a report.
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Winning hearts across the border
Although Pakistan lost their opening match against India by 107 runs, Maroof’s daughter bowled the Indian players out at Mount Maunganui stadium, New Zealand.
In the video that has gone viral, Indian players Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Renuka Singh Thakur, Meghna Singh and Richa Ghosh are seen gathering around and making playful gestures at the toddler in Maroof’s arms.
This will warm your heart in beautiful ways: India’s cricket team spending time with the baby daughter of Pakistan team’s captain Bismah Maroof after their World Cup match.
V @ghulamabbasshah pic.twitter.com/pg9WpxmBaY
— Mujib Mashal (@MujMash) March 6, 2022
ICC too shared the photo of baby Fatima with Maroof and the Indian players. “Little Fatima’s first lesson in the spirit of cricket from India and Pakistan,” tweeted ICC with the photo.
Little Fatima's first lesson in the spirit of cricket from India and Pakistan ?? #CWC22
? @TheRealPCB pic.twitter.com/ut2lCrGL1H
— ICC (@ICC) March 6, 2022
The video and Maharoof’s half-century in the second match have received overwhelming attention.
“This will warm your heart in beautiful ways,” said journalist Mujib Mashal.
“This wholesome bonding moment between India and Pakistan didn’t go unnoticed on the internet,” reported Dawn.
Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar also posted an admiring tweet. “What a lovely moment! Cricket has boundaries on the field, but it breaks them all off the field,” he said.
What a lovely moment! Cricket has boundaries on the field, but it breaks them all off the field.
Sport unites!#CWC22 pic.twitter.com/isgALYeZe1
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 6, 2022
Twitter users are praising Maroof for her powerful comeback that came on International Women’s Day.
“She is nailing both cricket and motherhood. #TheIronLady”, wrote user Junaid Khan. “Yes, little Fatima! Your mum played so well and we’re proud of her,” said another Facebook user Hassan F. Qureshi.
“Happy International Women’s Day and all the beautiful possibilities that women, cis & trans, can share with the world,” said user Diaa Hadid.
“Bismah Maroof’s legacy will go far beyond her achievements on the field. In a society that often tells women to make choices between career and family, she’s showing that you can have both! Such an inspiring person,” commented stand-up comic Aatif Nawaz.
“Bismah mahroof is great as a mother as well as a player,” said YouTube user Praveen Kumar.
While a Pakistani news anchor said that cricket has brought the two nations together in post-match analysis, reacting to the visuals.
“Indians and Pakistanis are needlessly fighting,” said an Instagram user Ayyraaah. Several users hailed the gesture of Indian and Pakistani players as sports spirit and sportsmanship.