Bismah Maroof Pakistan’s former women’s cricket captain Bismah Maroof retired dgtl

At the Commonwealth Games two years ago, he was not allowed to keep his daughter in the village at first. In the end, he earned the right to keep his daughter close. And the picture of Indian women cricketers with that girl went viral on social media. The baby girl is Fatima. And his fighting mother’s name is Bisma Maruf. Who played cricket for Pakistan for 17 years. He also led. He retired this time. The thought of spending time with a three-year-old daughter is terrifying.

At the end of a 17-year career, Bismar holds the highest number of runs in women’s cricket in one-day and T20 matches for Pakistan. Played 276 international matches. Even without a career century, getting out for 99 is painful. Bisma scored 3369 runs in one day cricket. Scored 2893 runs in T20. He has 33 fifties in international cricket.

Bisma, 32, became a mother three years ago. Many did not expect him to return to cricket after that. But Bisma was back. In countries like Pakistan, return to sports after maternity is very rare. But Bisma did not want to lose. Defeated all odds and came back. The board also helped him in this work.

Bismar was born on July 18, 1991 in a Kashmiri family in Lahore. The people of the house never allowed to play cricket. They wanted the girl to study and become a doctor. But from the end of his school life, Bismar’s interest in cricket increased. That interest reached such a point that she gave up her studies to play cricket despite getting an opportunity at Lahore College of Women University. The episode of becoming a doctor ends there.

Bisma became a mother in August 2021. Fatima was born. In April that year, Bisma took an indefinite leave from cricket after announcing her maternity. With the help of the team’s then coach David Hemp and the board, he returned to cricket. The board introduced a policy where cricketers would get paid for one year despite being on maternity leave and the contract would also be renewed the following year. Inspired by this, Bisma decided to return to cricket. He said, “If the board had not stood by me, maybe I would have quit cricket.” Now I keep mother with me all the time. I know the girl is safe.”

Cricket and motherhood went hand in hand in Bismar. He led Pakistan in 96 matches. This includes 62 T20Is and 34 ODIs. Sana Mir led Pakistan in 65 T20 matches. After him is Bisma. Bisma is third in that list in one-day cricket. Sana (72) and Shayzada Khan (39) are leading Bismar. Pakistan won 43 matches under Bisma’s leadership.

Bisma said about quitting the game, “I am retiring from the game that I love the most. It was a great journey. There were many obstacles in this way. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I fail. Thanks to all the people in the family who have been by my side in this journey. Thank you Pakistan Cricket Board. I was able to show my talent for them. The board changed the rules for me. Even after becoming a mother, I was able to play cricket for the country. Thanks to all my teammates. Those cricketers became my family.”