Taking wickets in the first over is fast becoming a habit for Marufa Akter. The right-arm pacer has already removed Omaima Sohail, Sidra Ameen and Amy Jones early in matches at the Women’s ODI World Cup, and is now one of the most talked-about bowlers of the tournament.
Her natural inswing deliveries have impressed not only fans but also cricketing greats like Lasith Malinga, Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami. Marufa’s ability to trouble top-order batters has placed her firmly at the centre of discussions around pace bowling in women’s cricket.
However, the young Bangladeshi pacer is not content with just making a name for herself — she has her sights set on much more. In an interview with Cricfrenzy, Marufa said she constantly reminds herself that staying at this level is not enough.
“I always think I cannot stay where I am. I often sit and think that just staying like this will not work. If I can dream bigger, I will be able to achieve more,” she said.
Marufa burst onto the scene in 2021, when she drew attention not only for her bowling but for her personal story. Coming from a humble background, she once helped her father on their farmland by pulling the plough herself, as the family did not own cattle.
Those days are behind her now. With national team appearances and growing recognition, Marufa’s rise has also brought positive change to her family’s life. Her parents, understandably proud of her achievements, have seen their fortunes shift as well.
“Yes, my family is proud,” Marufa said. “To come this far and perform well at such a big stage, of course they are proud of me.”
In the World Cup so far, she has taken four wickets in two matches, including a stunning double strike against Pakistan and crucial breakthroughs against England. Her inswing deliveries have left even seasoned batters struggling.
Bangladesh, who have won one of their first two matches, still have five group games remaining. Ahead of their clash with New Zealand, Marufa urged fans to keep supporting the team and not lose hope.
“Our people watch us play and pray for us. I ask them to continue praying and never lose faith in us,” she said. “InshAllah, we will achieve something good.”
Marufa’s form and mindset suggest that her journey is only beginning, and she is determined to make it count.
