Bangladesh pacer Marufa Akter has captured global attention with her fiery new-ball spells in the ongoing Women’s ODI World Cup. Her swing and aggression have left batters unsettled and cricket fans in awe. But behind her rise to stardom lies a story of hardship and resilience that moved many to tears.
Before becoming Bangladesh’s pace spearhead, Marufa’s life was defined by struggle. The daughter of a farmer from Dhelapir village in Syedpur, Nilphamari, she often helped her father in the fields to make ends meet. Her family’s financial hardships made them social outsiders, often excluded from local events because of their poverty.
“There used to be different invitations, but they wouldn’t invite us,” Marufa recalled in an ICC documentary before the New Zealand match, her voice breaking with emotion. “They’d say, ‘they don’t have proper clothes.’ There was a time when we couldn’t even buy new clothes for Eid.”
She went on to add, “My father is a farmer. We didn’t have much money, and even the people in our village weren’t supportive.”
Despite the challenges, Marufa’s determination never faded. “Where we are now, others from our background haven’t reached,” she said. “The way I support my family now, even many sons might not be able to do that. It gives me a special kind of peace.
“When I was little, I used to wonder when people would look at us with respect and applaud. Now, when I see myself on television, I feel shy,” she said with a smile.
Marufa’s talent has already earned her widespread praise from fans and experts alike, including former greats such as Lasith Malinga and Jhulan Goswami. Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty described her as “young, energetic, and a complete package,” adding, “The way she bowls aggressively in the powerplay, I believe she’ll become one of Bangladesh’s biggest stars.”
Bangladesh, who beat Pakistan earlier in the tournament before losing to England, are now facing New Zealand.
