Pakistan Women’s Bismah Maroof takes indefinite break from cricket, set to embrace motherhood

Pakistan Women’s cricketer Bismah Maroof has taken an indefinite break from cricket. The 29-year-old said that she’s set for a ‘new chapter’ in her life as she enters motherhood. The Lahore-born Bismah hasn’t played any form of cricket ever since Pakistan’s campaign in the Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia in February-March 2020.

Bismah played two games in the tournament, scored an unbeaten 38 and four before being ruled out of the tournament due to a fracture in her right thumb. Javeria Khan led the team in her absence against South Africa and Thailand. On Friday, April 16, Bismah took to Twitter and shared the news of her taking the break.

She took to Twitter and wrote, “I am delighted to announce that I am entering a new chapter in my life as motherhood beckons. I would like to wish the Pakistan women’s team the very best as I take an indefinite break from cricket. Request for prayers and support.” Back in January-February, she pulled out of the South Africa tour as well due to personal reasons.

Bismah Maroof’s career in brief

Maroof has been a torchbearer of Pakistan women’s cricket for the last decade and a half. Along with Sana Mir, she has helped the national team garner loads of laurels. She made her debut back in December 2006 as a teenager against India Women at Jaipur. Around a couple of years later, she forayed into T20I cricket and from there on, she hasn’t looked back by any means.

In 108 ODIs and 108 T20Is, Maroof has scored 2602 and 2225 runs with 25 half-centuries to show for her efforts. With her leg breaks, she picked up 80 wickets and has been more than handy. Maroof has also been active on social media platforms.

Recently, she congratulated Babar Azam for his 49-ball century against South Africa in the third T20I at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. “What a day for him and what a special @babarazam258 well played,” her tweet read.

Maroof also lauded Fakhar Zaman for the latter’s 193 in the second ODI at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. She wrote, “Thumbs up for @FakharZamanLive What a great knock missed the much deserved double but the way he kept that big chase alive till last over was absolutely outstanding.”