Also returning to the national fold are legspinner Ghulam Fatima and opener Nahida Khan
On Monday, the PCB said in a statement that she will be accompanied by a support person, “as part of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s parental policy, to help her look after the newborn, while keeping her focus on cricket.” Maroof, who is Pakistan’s second-most-capped women’s player in ODIs, with 108 appearances against her name, will be a big boost to the side.
Maroof, 30, said Pakistan’s aim is to reach the World Cup semi-finals and is confident this team “has the potential to pull it off”.
“It is a great honour for me to lead my country into another World Cup. I am thrilled to be back in action and do what I love and have dedicated my life to,” Maroof said in a statement. “The recent selection matches proved to be fruitful for me and the whole side as we got some match practice under a competitive and challenging environment leading into the mega event.”
The PCB added that the final phase of Pakistan’s preparations will commence with a 10-day pre-departure camp in Karachi from January 27. The team will then fly out to New Zealand on February 8. Pakistan begin their World Cup campaign against India at Bay Oval on March 6.
Squad: Bismah Maroof (Capt), Nida Dar, Aiman Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali, Nahida Khan, Nashra Sandhu, Omaima Sohail, Sidra Amin and Sidra Nawaz. Travelling reserves: Iram Javed, Najiha Alvi and Tuba Hassan.