Women's World Cup: India-Pakistan Match "A Great Opportunity To Inspire Millions Of Girls", Says Pakistan Captain Bismah Maroof

She is well aware of the pressure of playing against arch-rivals India in the Women's ODI World Cup opener against India next month but Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof hopes that the marquee match will inspire girls across the border to make a career in the sport. India are set to face Pakistan in their opener of the World Cup on March 6 at Tauranga, New Zealand. The quadrennial event will be held from March 4 to April 3 across six cities in New Zealand. “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, who is making a comeback after motherhood, told PTI Bhasha from Queenstown, New Zealand.

“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," said the 30 year old who has played over 200 international matches for Pakistan.

She praised the Mithali Raj led Indian team but she is very optimistic about Pakistan's chances against them.

“The Indian team is a good unit and has done well recently. They also have had some very good youngsters coming in of late,” she said.

“Our aim is to make it to the semi-finals, something which we have never done before. I strongly believe that this side has all the ingredients to achieve that.

Being the senior most player and the captain of the team , she feels that it is her duty to lead from from example.

"Being the senior player and the captain of the side you have to inspire your team and lead