Bismah Maroof's mother and daughter denied access to the CWG village

The mother and daughter of Pakistani women's team captain Bismah Maroof have been denied to stay alongside her in the Commonwealth Games Village (CWG). However, as it stands, Maroof will participate in the event with her mother and daughter being accommodated in a hotel outside the village.

As it is understood, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had requested the CWG federation for two extra accreditations to accommodate Maroof's mother and infant daughter in the village. In reply, the federation asked PCB to omit two other names from their list that included officials. Therefore, as it was an impossible task for the PCB, Maroof's two aforementioned family members have been asked to stay outside the village during the course of the event. 

PCB's maternity policy allows a player to travel with her infant and one of her trusted relatives who can take care of the baby. The board and the player equally bear the travel and accommodation expenses as per the policy. Due to this divine policy, Maroof could take her child and mother with her to the recently concluded Women's World Cup in New Zealand. 

In her reaction, the Pakistani skipper thanked the board for introducing the maternity policy that helped her balance her personal and professional lives. She also revealed that she had thoughts of retiring from cricket after the birth of her daughter. However, the massive support from her husband and the PCB has encouraged her to continue her career as a professional cricketer. 

"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," Maroof said. 

"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. 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", the 30-year-old added. 

PCB has confirmed that Maroof will continue to lead the Pakistan women's team for the 2022-23 season. After finishing the home series against Sri Lanka, which is set to begin on the 24th of this month, Pakistan will be involved in a triangular T20I series with Australia and Ireland in Belfast. Post that, they will head for Birmingham to take part in the Common Wealth Games that commences on July 25.