Shaheer Ahmed
Last week we saw the Pakistani Cricket team ruling the hearts of everyone, and only because of their true sportsmanship, dedication towards their passion, and parenthood. Yes, we are talking about Bismah Maroof; the woman of the strength of steel who is not only an amazing cricketer but also a mother. And now, PCB has announced paid maternity leaves for cricketers.
This indeed is great news because now women cricketers will be able to have 12 months of paid leaves, while men will have paid leaves of 30 days. In the press conference, PCB announced, “The PCB has a duty of care towards its cricketers and, at every turn, it has taken measures to support them,” Wasim Khan, the PCB chief executive officer, said. “In this relation, it is appropriate that we have a player-friendly parental support policy so that our professional cricketers can feel fully supported during an important stage in their lives, without worrying about their careers.”
“To have this policy for our women cricketers was even more significant. Women play a pivotal role in the development of society and our women cricketers have brought us laurels and recognition on the world stage. Now that we have a maternity leave policy, I am hopeful that it will attract more women and girls to take up the sport as this will help them strike a crucial work-life balance.”
Furthermore, the women cricketers are also guaranteed contract renewal after their 12 months leaves. This initiative by the PCB is something that has to be appreciated, and people all over the world are. It just shows how much the PCB cares about their cricketers, and we are very hopeful that ICC will see this as an example and try to implement it all over the world.
Women’s cricket in Pakistan took off in the 1990s, but since then we have had many splendid stars who had to leave because they had either gotten married or were having babies. Bismah Maroof, because of her passion took six months’ leaves, and then came back to represent her country in the International Women’s World Cup. She even brings her six months old daughter to her matches, and just yesterday, on 8th March, scored a half-century, while her daughter was in the pavilion. What a thing to do on Women’s day!
All of this is just proof that Pakistan has a bright future – that the people are dedicated towards their career and want to make Pakistan succeed in all aspects, whereas PCB taking care of the people is also something that is being appreciated by the people of Pakistan, and all over the world.
