Bismah Maroof to stay on as Pakistan white-ball captain
Bismah has been in charge of Pakistan's T20 team since 2016 and ODI side since 2017 and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have confirmed that the 30-year-old will continue her tenure.
Fresh from an impressive performance at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in New Zealand earlier this year, Bismah will lead a Pakistan side that improves with every international fixture.
Bismah's next assignment will be Pakistan's white-ball series against Sri Lanka at home later this month, while the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup to be held in South Africa in February next year will also be high on her agenda.
Bismah said she was thrilled to continue on as captain and looking forward to the immediate future of the Pakistan team.
"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,” she said.
"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."
Last year, the PCB launched a parental support policy, which allows players, both women and men, to get paid leave during periods of pregnancy and upon the birth of a child. It has greatly benefitted Bismah, who took a break upon the birth of her daughter Fatima.
"I want to thank the Pakistan Cricket Board for its immense support throughout my career and 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 of 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."
Bismah was Pakistan's second leading run-scorer during the recent 50-over World Cup, managing 191 runs from seven innings.