For someone whose interest never lay in cricket, Bismah Maroof has come a long way since her debut 10 years ago to become the leading scorer in the shorter formats of the game for Pakistan. Like it often happens with the men’s team in Pakistan, Bismah was blooded in the international side when she was 15, handpicked by former Pakistan player Imtiaz Ahmed, who was the selector of the women’s team then.
Coming from a cricket-crazy family it was on her parent’s insistence that she took to the sport. “I did not want to be a cricketer. My parents and family are very crazy about cricket and so put me into cricket. I actually wanted to be a doctor and was in eighth grade when I got selected. So I asked my parents what my future is and they told me to focus on cricket and that should be the first priority.”
DistinctionThe left-handed batswoman, who has not played first-class cricket at all, is also a handy leg-spinner and is the only Pakistan batswoman in the top 10 in the ICC rankings for T20s. Looking back at her international career, Bismah says, “In my debut match I scored 43 against India. I didn’t know what I was doing that time. But now I realise how important it is to make your debut count. I am a bit more mature and taking responsibility.”
Bismah has often spoken about her admiration for Virat Kohli. “I actually like Virat for the way he takes responsibility of the team and how he builds his innings at number three. So, I just want to take that responsibility too. My main focus is to emulate that.”
The 24-year old has also been outspoken about the need for academies for girls back home, saying the talent pool is available but needs nurturing and support. “The grassroots level in Pakistan is not very good. We want PCB to take some decisions to promote women’s cricket. We want a separate women’s academy so that girls can come and train there as we don’t have a lot of grounds.”
