Amidst growing concern about the coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war, and the final polling for Uttar Pradesh, netizens caught a breath of fresh air, watching a viral video of India’s women cricket team interacting with Pakistan’s captain Bismah Maroof’s baby daughter.
Usually, the after-match moments of cricket matches show players either elated, dejected or quiet in a formal setting. However, on March 6, 2022, the women cricket teams, playing the starting match for the 2022 Women’s World Cup did things differently. Throwing the India-Pakistan rivalry for a toss, the sports persons gathered around Maroof’s daughter, cooing and gushing over the delightful little baby.
पाकिस्तान महिला क्रिकेट टीम की कप्तान बिस्माह मारूफ की बेटी को प्यार करतीं भारतीय क्रिकेटर.❤️ pic.twitter.com/pHsQSimtgU
— Awanish Sharan (@AwanishSharan) March 6, 2022
At a time when the right-wing trolls are peddling their divisive Hindu-Muslim agenda, and spreading false rumours of Pakistani terrorists, the video comes as a welcome break. The video also gave some more coverage to the women’s game wherein India beat Pakistan by 107 runs on Sunday in Mount Maunganui in New Zealand.
It also gave Maroof a chance to speak about the struggle for women cricketers. Speaking to Cricbuzz, she said women cricketers are hard pressed to avail luxuries like nannies, who can take care of their children during the match. Their contracts help them make a living but playing would have been difficult if not for the parental policy. Maroof voiced this fact two days before International Women’s Day.
According to Economic Times, Maroof is the first beneficiary to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s recently-framed policy offering 12 months paid leave and guaranteed contract extension to players. The 30-year-old has represented Pakistan in over 200 matches.
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