The captain of the Pakistani women's cricket team, Bismah Maroof, was praised by netizens on Tuesday for scoring a half-century against Australia in the ongoing ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 and dedicating it to her baby girl, Fatima.
This is the 12th Women’s Cricket World Cup and it is being held in New Zealand. It was originally scheduled for 2021 but was postponed for a year because of the COVID pandemic.
The match against Australia was just the second for Maroof since her return after giving birth.
The video and photos of Maroof celebrating her half-century with a baby-rocking gesture and looking at her baby girl in the dressing room, have gone viral.
A Twitter User Hails Bismah Maroof for her Cradle Celebration
© Photo : Twitter/@RajaImran007
Fan Praises Bismah Maroof for Dedicating Half-Century to her Daughter
© Photo : Twitter/@QueenAfshan_
Buoyed by Maroof’s unbeaten 78 off 122 balls and Aliya Riaz’s 53 off 109 balls, Pakistan managed to post a total of 190/6 in their allotted 50 overs.
However, Australia comfortably chased the score in 34.4 overs with the help of a blistering knock of 72 runs by Alyssa Healy.
Meanwhile, Maroof has also become the first Pakistani player to score a half-century against Australia in a One Day International (ODI) World Cup cricket match.
After the match, Maroof shared a heartfelt message on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
Pakistani Women's Cricket Team Skipper Shares Heartfelt Message on International Women's Day
© Photo : Twitter/@maroof_bismah
Videos and photos of the Indian women's cricket team cuddling and playing with Maroof's daughter also went viral on Monday. The video was filmed after the match played between India and Pakistan on 6 March when India defeated Pakistan by 107 runs.
Fans from both sides of the border praised the Indian team's gesture.
Twitterati Hails Spirit of Cricket
© Photo : Twitter/@oyebajwey
A Twitter User Praises Indian Team Clicking Photos with Pakistani Skipper's Daughter
© Photo : Twitter/@Sarangsspeaks
Sharing the photo, India’s batting great Sachin Tendulkar praised the Indian team for their kindness as he said “Sport Unites”.
Sachin Tendulkar Praises Indian Team's Gesture of Playing with Daughter of Pakistani Cricket Team Skipper
© Photo : Twitter/@sachin_rt
The cameras caught the first glimpse of Fatima ahead of Pakistan’s match against India at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui in New Zealand when Maroof came out with her from the team bus.