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While fans are always hyped about the on-field battle between the arch-rivals India and Pakistan, the players from both sides of the border have often shared a good relationship off the field. One such incident was witnessed on March 6 after India beat Pakistan by 107 runs in their Women's World Cup 2022 opener. In a beautiful gesture, Indian players met Pakistan skipper Bismah Maroof's daughter Fatima, and clicked selfies with her after the match.
The gesture also impressed former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar as he tweeted, “What a lovely moment! Cricket has boundaries on the field, but it breaks them all off the field. Sport unites!”
International Cricket Council (ICC) also shared the photo with caption, “Little Fatima's first lesson in the spirit of cricket from India and Pakistan”.
Earlier the 30-year-old all-rounder did not have a successful outing at Bay Oval, Mount Maugnanui. Batting at no.3 in the run chase of 245, she got out for 15 off 25 deliveries. Bismah lost her wicket to right-arm off-spinner Deepti Sharma and became wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh's one of the five dismissals in the game. As a result, Pakistan could not even get close to the target and got all out for 137 in 43 overs, losing to India for the fourth time in 50-over World Cup events over the years.
Maroof made her ODI comeback in Pakistan's first match of the mega event. The 30-year-old had not played a single ODI since December 14, 2019 when Pakistan took on England. Bismah is also the first beneficiary of Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) new policy which guaranteed her a paid leave for 12 months.
“Pakistan vs India is indeed a great stage for any player to establish her credentials, but at the end of the day, it is a cricket match that has to be won by executing the basics right and keeping thing simple," Maroof said a few weeks before the India vs Pakistan clash.
“This match is a great opportunity to inspire millions of girls in Pakistan and India to take up this sport as a profession. It is the biggest rivalry, and attracts innumerable eyeballs. I hope girls in the two countries will watch this match and will be inspired to take up the game," the veteran all-rounder added.
