Pakistan women's cricket team skipper Bismah Maroof believes that the upcoming India versus Pakistan encounter in the 50-over World Cup will 'inspire' millions of girls across the border to take up the sport.
India and Pakistan will lock horns in the upcoming Women's World Cup in New Zealand next month. Both sides will kick start their campaign against each other at Tauranga on March 06, 2022.
Speaking to PTI Bhasha ahead of the marquee encounter, Maroof said that Indo-Pak matches at the World stage provides a great opportunity for players from both sides to showcase their talent and get noticed.
However, she asserted that it's just another game of cricket and one needs to focus on doing the basics right.
"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 things simple,"
The 30-year old, who has player over 200 international games, added, "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 veteran Pakistani skipper, who is set to make a return after motherhood.
The spinning all-rounder also went on to laud the Indian team, stating that it has a good combination of youth and experience.
"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 added.
However, she has laid down the marker for her side, stating that their first aim is to qualify for the top-four.
"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 example,"
"If you are not doing the right things, you cannot demand them from girls. I have a very clear vision with this team that we need to be in top four." she signed off.
India have an unblemished record against their arch-rivals in the 50-over World Cup. They have won each of their three previous encounters and will look to make it 4-0 on March 06, 2022.