Bismah Maroof

Bismah Maroof is a Pakistani cricketer and the former captain of the national women's team, regarded as one of the finest batters Pakistan has produced. Born on 18 July 1991 in Lahore, she made her international debut in 2006 at just 14 years old.

Career

Bismah has been the anchor of Pakistan's women's batting for nearly two decades, and she is the leading run-scorer for Pakistan women across formats. She captained the side in multiple spells, including a memorable return from maternity leave in 2022 — becoming the first Pakistani woman to play international cricket after having a child — and led the team to the semi-finals of the 2022 Commonwealth Games cricket event and the 2022 Asia Cup final.

Her resilience on and off the field — balancing motherhood with international cricket — made her a role model across the region. She retired from international cricket in 2025 after a distinguished career.

Legacy

Bismah Maroof is celebrated as the heartbeat of Pakistan women's cricket, and her longevity, class and leadership helped raise the profile of the women's game in the country.