Bangladesh's Marufa Akter Shines in Women's ODI World Cup Victory Over Pakistan
In a remarkable performance, Bangladesh bowler Marufa Akter played a pivotal role in her team's impressive victory against Pakistan during the Women's ODI World Cup 2025 match held at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on October 2. This match marked the beginning of Bangladesh's pursuit for their first World Cup title, culminating in a seven-wicket win over Pakistan.
Chasing Down the Target
Pakistan set a target of 130 runs, which Bangladesh successfully chased in just 31.1 overs. Rubya Haider was instrumental in this effort, scoring an unbeaten 54 runs off 77 balls, marking her first fifty in ODI cricket. Contributions from skipper Nigar Sultana (23 runs) and Sobhana Mostary (24 not out) further solidified the team's batting performance.
Bowling Attack Dominates
Earlier in the match, the bowling unit led by Shorna Akter dismantled Pakistan's batting lineup, bowling them out for a mere 129 runs in 38.3 overs. Shorna's impressive figures of 3 wickets for just 5 runs at an economy rate of 1.40 were complemented by Marufa Akter (2/31) and Nahida Akter (2/19), who each took two wickets.
Marufa Akter's Confident English Interview
Marufa Akter was awarded the Player of the Match for her outstanding bowling, particularly her early breakthroughs by dismissing Omaima Sohail and Sidra Amin for ducks. Notably, her confident use of English during the post-match interview garnered attention. After receiving her award, she opted to respond in English rather than relying on a translator, impressing both the audience and her manager.
Fans Celebrate Marufa's Confidence
While her bowling performance was commendable, it was Marufa's bold attempt to communicate in English that captivated fans on social media. Many praised her self-assurance, especially her statement, 'me vs me, not me vs others,' which resonated with her humble yet determined mindset.
Looking Ahead
Marufa Akter, who made her ODI debut against New Zealand in December 2022, has played 27 matches, taking 22 wickets with an average of 30.40. Following this victory, Bangladesh aims to build on their momentum as they prepare to face England at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on October 7.