Bismah Maroof’s infant daughter Fatima denied accreditation for Commonwealth Games 2022

Pakistan Women's skipper Bismah Maroof recently went to play the 2022 Women's World Cup in New Zealand along with her mother and daughter.

Pakistan Women’s skipper Bismah Maroof’s daughter, Fatima, has been denied accreditation for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, scheduled to take place in July-August in Birmingham. Maroof’s newly-born baby won’t be able to access the Commonwealth Games village. Thereafter, it was learned that Maroof was thinking about pulling out of the tournament.

But as per latest reports, the 30-year-old will travel for the games with her daughter and mother, who will stay with Fatima at a hotel outside the village. Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had asked the CWG Federation for two extra accreditations for Maroof’s mother and daughter.

But the federation requested the Pakistan board to remove two personnel from the travelling contingent, which consists of team officials as well. However, the PCB said that it wouldn’t be possible to exclude any of their players or support staff from the Games.

Maroof recently went to New Zealand with her daughter for the 2022 Women’s World Cup. As per the PCB’s maternity policy, a player is allowed "to travel with a support person of her choice to assist in caring for her infant child".

Recently, the PCB also retained Bismah as Pakistan Women’s skipper for the 2022-23 season. With Pakistan set to play 25 matches this season, Maroof lauded the cricket board and her husband for their immense support.

"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 was quoted as saying.

“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.