Fatima - a delight for everyone at Pakistan's World Cup opener against India

Pakistan women's team didn't have the best of the start in the 2022 ICC World Cup as they were outclassed by neighbours India comprehensively.

The Women in Blue managed to claim a win of 107 runs over the Girls in Green courtesy of the attacking knocks from lower-order batters Pooja Vastrakar (67) and Sneh Rana (53*) while they replied back with a brilliant bowling display, bowling Pakistan out for 137.

In a high-intensity game, a few precious moments that caught the attention of everyone was Fatima, the daughter of Pakistan skipper Bismah Maroof.

After the match, the Indian players were enjoying the company of Fatima while she was in the care of one of the Pakistan support staff members.

Indian spinner Ekta Bisht was the first one to be seen having fun with Fatima while veteran pacer Jhulan Goswami was also near her.

These moments - Indian cricketer Ekta Bisht and daughter of Bismah Maroof after #PakvInd World Cup game pic.twitter.com/jimVcWNqZD

— Shiraz Hassan (@ShirazHassan) March 6, 2022

Bismah was busy with post-match stuff and she was asked about Fatima and the attention she received at the start of the play.

Before the match, a photo of Bismah holding Fatima while entering the stadium also gone viral. "It's a very emotional moment for me," Bismah said.

🏏 Cricket kit
🧳 Bags packed
👶 Baby cradle

Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof ready to face India 😁#CWC22 pic.twitter.com/1ntYZfCzPY

— ICC (@ICC) March 6, 2022

"It was a different feeling. Coming back and playing in the World Cup. My mother and daughter are here so it's a special moment for me and I want to do something special," she said. 

Remember, Bismah is one of eight mothers playing at the 2022 World Cup. She is making her comeback to international cricket through this World Cup after going on maternity leave last April. 

Before that, she had played an international game in 2020, at the T20 World Cup in Australia.

After Bismah was free from the mandatory post-match duties, Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Renuka Thakur, Yastika Bhatia, Richa Ghosh and Meghna S were among those seen with Fatima and Bismah in a video shot on the dressing room balcony.

International Cricket Council (ICC) also shared a picture of Indian players clicking a selfie with Bismah and her daughter.
 

Little Fatima's first lesson in the spirit of cricket from India and Pakistan 💙💚 #CWC22

📸 @TheRealPCB pic.twitter.com/ut2lCrGL1H

— ICC (@ICC) March 6, 2022