Bangladesh Cricket's Urgent Need for Maternity Leave Policies
The absence of maternity support in Bangladesh cricket raises concerns for players balancing family and careers.
The landscape of women's cricket in Bangladesh faces significant challenges, particularly concerning maternity leave for players. The experiences of former cricketers highlight the systemic issues that jeopardize both their careers and family lives.
Suraiya Azmin's Case
Former Bangladesh pacer Suraiya Azmin, who reached out to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on May 9 regarding paid maternity leave, was met with silence. After giving birth in August, she found herself excluded from the national contract list, and her requests for both unpaid salary and maternity leave remained unresolved.
Wider Implications
Unfortunately, Suraiya’s ordeal reflects a more significant issue in women's cricket in Bangladesh. The lack of a formal maternity policy puts female cricketers' careers at risk when they decide to start a family.
Another former player, Sanjida Islam Moyna, who has represented Bangladesh in 16 ODIs and 54 T20Is, shares similar stories. After marrying in 2020 and giving birth in 2025, she stepped back from the sport entirely to focus on motherhood. Sanjida claims that the stigma surrounding married players in the BCB creates immense pressure on women.
Stigmas and Career Pressures
“Married female players often face an uphill battle,” Sanjida stated. “Selectors tend to assume that once a woman is married or has a child, her commitment to the sport diminishes.” This attitude leads many cricketers to conceal their marital status or delay marriage altogether.
Suraiya echoes these sentiments, saying, “When I became a mother, the mindset was that I could not return to the game.” This discouraging perspective from officials and the board affects their eagerness to continue playing.
Experiences of Other Players
Sathira Jakir Jessy, a former national cricketer and current umpire, also recounted her struggles. Despite serving as the vice-captain, she felt the burden of balancing motherhood and her cricket responsibilities. “After having a child, I realized it was a constant challenge. Many women dread having babies, fearing it might abruptly end their careers,” she expressed.
This sentiment shows just how deeply ingrained these worries are, causing even current players to think twice about starting families.
Lessons from Other Countries
As discussions around maternity leave gain traction, it's noteworthy that the International Cricket Council (ICC) recently introduced guidelines titled “Return to Play Post-Pregnancy.” However, these guidelines do not assure paid leave for female cricketers. In contrast, boards like Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket offer fully paid maternity leave, making it easier for athletes to manage family and sports. Moreover, Pakistan’s introduction of a Parental Support Policy allows players to stay connected to the game even after childbirth, as seen with Bismah Maroof’s return to leadership shortly after becoming a mother.
Call for Change
Fatema Tuz Jahara, former player turned head coach of Qatar's women's team, highlighted the stark differences in support. “In developed cricketing nations, the level of maternity care provided enables players to return confidently after childbirth. In Bangladesh, the opposite is true,” she pointed out.
The lack of job security has led many players to postpone family life, fearing financial instability during their careers. Their reliance on the salary from the sport leaves them with insufficient options to balance motherhood and cricket.
BCB's Response
BCB Women’s Wing chairman, Rafiqul Islam Babu, stated intentions to implement ICC guidelines in the future. “We’ll ensure support for anyone requiring maternity leave,” he confirmed, but he acknowledged that formal policies have been slow to develop. Meanwhile, CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury admitted there’s no established policy concerning maternity leave and pledged to address these matters on a case-by-case basis.
The Path Forward
As female cricketers in Bangladesh continue to advocate for fair treatment, it’s clear that a formal maternity policy is urgently needed. Without defined guidelines that clearly outline maternity leave benefits, many players will remain caught in a cycle of uncertainty regarding their ability to balance motherhood and their cricketing careers.