If you are focused on the Women's World Cup, you will know that one of the stars of the tournament is less than seven months old.

 

The 'star' of the Women's Cricket World Cup who is less than seven months old



Apart from Dandra Dutton's excellent catches, Shabnam Ismail's fast bowling and Meg Lanning's clean cutting, he will also be proud of the extraordinary star Nanhi Fatima, the daughter of Pakistan cricket team captain Bismillah Maroof.

After the victory against Pakistan, pictures of Fatima by Indian players caused a stir all over the world. In the context of relations between the two countries, the importance of these pictures increases even more.

For Bismillah, the pressure to lead her country to the World Cup and taking care of maternity requirements is an extraordinary feat, doubled in importance when she gave birth to a baby in August. When Bismillah became pregnant in late 2020, she thought her international career was over.

But with the maternity policy of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the encouragement of coach David Hamp, Bismillah has made an impressive return to the world of cricket, Bismillah told the BBC World Service's program Stumped. That was a beautiful moment in my life, but from a professional point of view, it was also terrifying because of the uncertainty. I did not know what would happen. At the moment, it looked like my career was coming to an end. "

According to David Hamp, Bismillah was upset. "On the one hand, there was excitement, but as a player, he must have felt that his mission was still somewhat incomplete."

At that time, Bismillah did not have a clear idea of ​​the PCB's 'parental policy'.

 

The terms of this policy include the payment of one year's salary and travel arrangements with an additional person to assist in childcare, which must be paid by the board.

Despite the help, the 30-year-old, who announced his retirement from cricket last April, was unsure whether she would return in time for the World Cup.

 

According to David Hamp, "I told (her) that the World Cup should be a goal, but she was anxious." Have been I had no question about that. I could see that she was capable enough to tell him she could play again.

David Hamp saw Bismillah a month later when she was already exercising three or four times a week.