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In a recent development, the daughter of Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof has been denied accreditation to the Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2022. The event will be held from July 25 to August 8 in Birmingham. The game of cricket will return to the competition after men’s teams were a part of the 1998 edition. A total of 8 teams of different nations (women’s team) will participate in a T20 format of the game.
According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board had requested the CWG Federation to accommodate two extra accreditations for Maroof's mother and daughter. In their response, CWG urged PCB to omit 2 members from their 22-members touring party, which involves officials as well. However, PCB was not able to do the needful step as suggested by the CWG. As a result, the Pakistan skipper’s daughter and mother will stay at a hotel outside of the CWG village.
The current parental policy of PCB allows the player to travel with her family member or any person, who can take care of the infant child. The travel and accommodation costs are equally shared between the player and the board. In the recently concluded Women’s World Cup 2022, Maroof had grabbed the attention by bringing her child to the stadium as well.
In another development, Maroof has been reappointed as the captain of the Pakistan women's team for the 2022-23 season. She reckoned that the team is excited about their upcoming challenges. She admits their performances will play a key in the team’s qualification for the next edition of the World Cup and serve as a preparation for the T20 World Cup 2023.
"It is truly an honour for any cricketer to captain their country and it is a great privilege for me to continue in this role. The 2022-23 cricket season is the busiest for Pakistan Women's side and we are excited and geared up for the challenges it presents. Every match in the upcoming season is important for us as a team as bilateral ODIs will determine whether we qualify for the next ICC Women's Cricket World Cup and the T20Is provide us opportunities to prepare for the all-important T20 World Cup in February next year," said Maroof.
In their next assignment, the Pakistan Women team will face Sri Lanka Women in a 3-match ODI series and as many T20I matches, which will get underway on May 24.