Bangladesh pacer Marufa Akter has been in rich form in the Asia Cup, and ahead of Thursday’s crunch semifinal against India, she is hoping the senior players can continue making valuable contributions as they have throughout the tournament.

It is a do-or-die affair for Bangladesh as they take on the UAE in their final Group B fixture of the Women's Asia Cup on Tuesday, with a semifinal berth on the line.

Left-arm spinner Nahida Akter starred with the ball as Bangladesh began their Women’s Asia Cup T20 campaign on a winning note, beating Indonesia by 71 runs in their opening Group B match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the UAE Monday.

Recently, the right-arm pacer spoke to The Daily Star’s Samsul Arefin Khan and revealed that she has a secret plan for the mega T20 event.

The Women's Bangladesh Cricket League T20 tournament (WBCL) is set to begin on Monday, with national team skipper Nigar Sultana Joty and pacer Marufa Akter returning to the domestic fold after sitting out the Women's National Cricket League.

All three enter the auction with a base price of INR 30 lakh, offering teams a chance to snap up Bangladesh’s emerging stars.

The exchange quickly caught fans’ attention for its sincerity, reflecting the growing spirit of mutual respect among women cricketers in South Asia.

With every landmark, from a record chase to an ever-increasing viewership, the women’s game continues to prove that it isn’t a supplement to cricket’s story but the soul that’s been rediscovered within it.

Bangladesh's imploded with the bat in the dying moments of the game as they succumbed to a seven-run defeat against Sri Lanka in Navi Mumbai on Monday which saw them crash out of the ICC Women's World Cup. 

Bangladesh will also be boosted by the expected return of pacer Marufa Akter.

Rabeya Khan struck twice, while Bates was run out after a 33-ball 29 -- laced with six fours -- leaving New Zealand struggling at 39 for three after 12 overs.

Before departing for the World Cup, expectations surrounding Nigar Sultana Joty's side were relatively modest.

Skipper Nigar Sultana Joty said the team remains focused on playing their natural game against title contenders England in Guwahati today.

Bangladesh could not have asked for a better start to their ICC Women’s World Cup campaign. Fast bowler Marufa Akter, already making a name as the Tigresses’ firebrand, pegged Pakistan on the backfoot from the onset at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium on Thursday.

Bangladesh pacer Marufa Akter made an unforgettable impact in the ICC Women’s World Cup with a fiery opening spell against Pakistan that left cricket fans and legends alike singing her praises.

The 20-year-old speedster, long touted as one of Bangladesh’s brightest talents, delivered the dream start she had visualised for months.

Just one match into their campaign in the ICC Women's World Cup 2025, Bangladesh have already matched their previous best finish courtesy of an emphatic seven-wicket win over Pakistan in Colombo on Thursday.

Marufa Akter burst onto the scene as one of Bangladesh’s most promising pace bowlers. Her blend of youthful exuberance, skill, and ambition quickly earned her a key role in the national team. The 20-year-old pacer from Nilphamari spoke to The Daily Star’s Abdullah Al Mehdi about her injury setbacks, her World Cup ambitions, and the drive to keep improving. The excerpts of the interview are as follows:

Bangladesh's preparation for the upcoming ICC Women's World Cup suffered a blow as their first warm-up match against South Africa ended in a no result due to rain at the Colombo Cricket Club Ground on Thursday.

Wicketkeeper-batter Nigar Sultana Joty, pacer Marufa Akter, and leg-spinner Fahima Khatun stood out as Team Red defeated Team Green by 32 runs in the opening match of the Women’s Challenge Cup at BKSP-3 on Monday.