Desk Report:
Bangladesh has made a great start in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup. Bangladesh, led by Nigar Sultana Jyoti, won by 7 wickets with 113 balls in hand against Pakistan. Marufa Akhtar’s bowling in this great victory of Jyoti has caught the attention of cricket experts.
Marufa Akhtar was the man of the match against Pakistan in the World Cup match held in Colombo yesterday. She took 2 wickets for 31 runs in 7 overs. All 2 wickets were taken in the first over of the innings. Marufa Akhtar bowled two Pakistani cricketers Omaima Sohail and Sidra Amin with the last two balls of the first over, of which the International Cricket Council (ICC) posted a video on its official Facebook page today with Marufa’s wicket taken with the last ball of the over. Mithali Raj praised Marufa in the video and said, “Her ball swung a lot. She bowled in the right place. Swing is definitely necessary. But if the line-length is not right, the expected results are not achieved. She has taken 2 wickets in a row.’
This is Marufa’s first time playing in the ODI World Cup. However, this is the third ICC event for this Bangladeshi female cricketer. She has previously played in two T20 World Cups in 2023 and 2024. Since then, Mithali has been impressed with Marufa’s bowling. The Indian batting legend said in an ICC video message, ‘This is her first time playing in the World Cup. Although she has played in the T20 World Cup before. When I was commentating in South Africa (in the 2023 T20 World Cup), her bowling impressed me. It is a big thing to have a pacer like her in the XI. She took two wickets in a row yesterday. That is a lot for Bangladesh.’ Lasith Malinga posted this ICC video on his official Facebook page. Malinga wrote about Marufa, ‘Nikhad skill. Great control over the ball. Best delivery of the tournament so far.’
Chasing the target of 130 runs set by Pakistan, Bangladesh won by 7 wickets with 113 balls to spare. Jyoti’s team is now in second place. Bangladesh’s net run rate is +1.623. Australia and India, who are in first and third places, have net run rates of +1.78 and +1.255. Bangladesh’s next match is against England on October 7. The Bangladesh-England match will start at 3:30 PM Bangladesh time in Guwahati.
