Bismah Maroof named new one-day captain for Pakistan’s women cricket team

Pakistan’s women cricket team reached all-time low after failing to win a single in the World Cup held in England. Pakistan Cricket Board decided to take concrete steps to make sure the national side can produce better results. The start was with the change in the overall setup as things could not continue for more time.

Sana Mir, who was captain of the side for the competition has been sacked as leader of the side as Bismah Maroof is new captain of the one-day side. Mir did in the World Cup as a bowler but results did not go her way as side did not win a single game. She also became first bowler from Pakistan to take 100 wickets in limited overs cricket and will be considered for national selection for all formats.

Pakistan has bagged two Gold medals under the leadership of Sana Mir in Asian Games held in 2010 and 2014. Her first stint as captain of the side came in Women’s World T20 2009. Pakistan’s women team was on terminal decline for the past one year as the side lost all the games in England this year. Pakistan’s Head coach Sabih Azhar criticized Mir’s leadership skills and stated that she was self-centered and had a negative influence on the dressing room.

Earlier, Sana Mir had relinquished T20 captaincy of the side in 2016 and stated that she did not want to continue the job with current management at the helm of affairs. Things have changed as Mark Coles is set to take over Sabih Azhar as Head Coach of Pakistan’s women side. The first task for Coles will be Pakistan’s home series against New Zealand in UAE.

Pakistan Cricket Board has removed the selection committee and the process of selecting another one is in the process. The board will soon announce manager for the national side to replace Shamsa Hashmi. Ayesha Ashar will also play the role of interim manager for the side until Pakistan announces new manager. The side will go through wholesale changes in terms of coaching staff and management.

Najam Sethi who is the chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board stated that the authorities have taken a lot of time in discussing women’s cricket and the structure prevalent in the country. He said that the changes in the setup would bring better results for national side.

PCB also stated that efforts are being made to make sure there is progress in women’s game in the country and the decisions were being made after comprehensive review of the whole setup related to national side. Sethi said that we will take steps take concrete measures to make sure Pakistan’s women team turns into well-drilled unit and is able to produce better results on the field. The key ingredients of the producing good results on the field will only occur when a side has good management taking care of issues facing the players.

He lauded Sana Mir’s efforts and for his contributions made for Pakistan’s women cricket team and said that Mir led the side in an admirable fashion.