Mandhana hails “inspirational” Pakistan captain Maroof for returning to motion six months after baby beginning

Star India opening batter Smriti Mandhana has hailed “inspirational” Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof for setting an instance for sportswomen the world over by returning to play six months after giving beginning to a baby.

After they beat arch-rivals Pakistan by 107 runs within the Women’s World Cup on Sunday, some Indian gamers had been seen having a great time with Maroof’s daughter Fatima with footage and movies of them enjoying with the six-month-old lady going viral.

Vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Renuka Singh Thakur, Meghna Singh and Richa Ghosh had been seen making playful gestures on the toddler cradled in Maroof’s arm.

This video ..

🇮🇳🙌🏻🇵🇰#INDvPAK #INDvSL #PAKvIND #PAKvAUS#CWC22 #Peshawarblast pic.twitter.com/VuoCOGyzKW

— DhrubaJyot Nath 🇮🇳 (@Dhrubayogi) March 6, 2022

“Coming back post pregnancy in 6 months and playing international cricket is so inspiring. @bismahmaroof setting an example for sportswomen across the globe,” Mandhana wrote in an Instagram put up.

Smriti Mandhana’s Instagram story (Instagram)

“Lots of love to baby Fatima from India and I hope she picks the bat just like you bcoz lefties are special.”

After the match, the ICC tweeted together with a photograph: “Little Fatima’s first lesson in the spirit of cricket from India and Pakistan.”

Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar was fast to chip in along with his admiring remark.

“What a lovely moment! Cricket has boundaries on the field, but it breaks them all off the field. Sport unites!” he wrote in a tweet.

What a beautiful second! Cricket has boundaries on the sphere, nevertheless it breaks all of them off the sphere.

Sport unites!#CWC22 pic.twitter.com/isgALYeZe1

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 6, 2022

Even earlier than the sport, images of Maroof coming into the stadium in Mount Maunganui along with her daughter — born in August final yr — cradled in her arms had turn into an immediate hit on social media.

That 30-year-old Maroof was capable of journey to New Zealand along with her daughter — in addition to her mom, Fatima’s carer — as Pakistan Cricket Board’s maternity rule permits the mom “to travel with a support person of her choice to assist in caring for her infant child”, with journey and lodging prices shared equally between the board and the participant.