PCB retains Bismah Maroof as Pakistan captain for 2022-23 season

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Wednesday announced that Bismah Maroof would continue as the national women’s limited-overs captain in 2022-23.

“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,” Bismah said on her retention.

“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.” the statement issued by the PCB read quoting the skipper.

During an ODI in December 2006 in Jaipur, Bismah made her Pakistan debut at 15 years old against India. She is the only Pakistani woman to score 5,000 runs in international cricket. After the 2017 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, she was appointed captain of the T20I side and the ODI side.

The skipper thanked the PCB for its immense support throughout her career, “especially in helping me strike the right work-life balance after the birth of Fatima.”

“There was a time when I contemplated giving up on my passion for playing cricket, but the PCB ensured it never came to that with the introduction of the maternity policy, which has made the game as inclusive as it can be for the women in our country. I also want to thank my family and especially my husband, Abrar, who has been a great support throughout my career, and has provided me encouragement to continue to play for Pakistan.”

Speaking on the occasion, Head of Women’s cricket Tania Mallick said: “I want to congratulate Bismah Maroof on her retention as the leader of the national side. She has been an inspiration for women around the world with her demeanor on and off the field and I am sure our side will produce strong and consistent results in their leadership over the next year.”

According to the statement issued by the board, Pakistan women’s team is gearing up for an action-packed bumper season in which it will play, at least, 25 matches with the schedules for the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup and ICC Women’s T20 World Cup to be announced.

Their season begins by hosting Sri Lanka in Karachi for three T20Is and three ODIs in what will be the first instance of ICC Women’s Championship matches being staged in Pakistan from later this month.

Bismah’s team will then head for Belfast to play hosts Ireland and champions Australia in a T20I triangular series from July 12-24 before they move to Birmingham for the Commonwealth Games to be held from July 25 to August 8