Maternal and Paternal leaves, in particular have been a matter of much debate and discussion over a long period of time now. With Indian captain Virat Kohli's paternal leave during India's Tour of Australia earlier this year receiving mixed views from fans and former cricketers, the cricketing and other sporting bodies are left with a lot to do in order to provide both their male and female athletes with all the professional and social support to back them in the life changing event of childbirth and attaining parenthood.

In a highly progessive move, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday announced its Parental Support Policy which gives various rights to both men and women cricketers, aimed to motivate and champion professional Pakistani cricketers during their journey to parenthood. 

As per the policy, both male and female cricketers have been given various rights that they will be respectively entitled to, while in the pregnancy and upon the birth of their child.

The newly introduced policy also includes the option for female players to transfer to a non-playing role until the beginning of their maternity leave leading up to the child birth.

Female Cricketers are also entitled to avail up to 12 months of paid maternity leave along with a guaranteed contract extension in the following year, aligning with their current contractual arrangements.

After the end of the maternity leave, the cricketer will be re-entered into the cricketing activities and also be provided with proper medical and physical support with regards to their rehabilitation post the birth of their child.

Also, if a woman cricketer needs to travel for cricketing activities, the board will assist the player by permitting her to travel with a support person of her choice to help in taking care of the child, with the travel and accommodation expenses to be shared equally. 

Besides, male players, who are new fathers or expectants will also be entitled to avail up to 30 days of fully paid leave which will have to be availed within 56 days of the child birth.

With PCB announcing this highly supportive and progressive policy for its cricketers, it is high time that other sporting boards also follow suit and chart a policy to assist and provide a sense of professional security to their athletes while they attend their personal life commitments.