Bangladesh is gearing up and looking forward with much anticipation for the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, which in turn will be their second appearance in the global tournament. The thirteen edition of the World Cup starts on September 30, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
After a challenging yet memorable maiden outing in 2022, the Tigresses are forged and determined to put up a stronger performance that leaves a mark on the global stage.
During their first-ever World Cup appearance in New Zealand in 2022, Bangladesh managed to secure a historic win against Pakistan, their first in the history of the tournament. Despite finishing second last in the points table, that victory provided a glimpse of the team’s potential and set the foundation for memorable campaigns leading up to the coming World Cup.
Skipper Nigar Sultana Joty has said the team is all set and looks ready for the marquee tournament. “We are super excited and hopeful, and we want to make it count for us this time,” she wrote in her column for the ICC.
Reflecting on the team’s maiden World Cup experience in 2022 where they registered a solitary win, she expressed her memories from the encounter against Pakistan.
“Our first experience of playing an ODI World Cup three years ago in New Zealand was an eye-opening experience for the team. We made history last time, securing our first-ever win at a World Cup by beating Pakistan in a game I will never forget,” she mentioned.
That memorable match against Pakistan saw Fargana Hoque lead the way with a top score of 71 runs, and she remains a key player for Bangladesh in 2025 as well. “Fargana Hoque top-scored for us that day and has been selected again for the squad,” Joty said.
The 32-year-old batter has amassed 1,881 runs from 73 innings at an average of 27.66, including two centuries and 15 half-centuries. The top-order batter also scored a brilliant 107 against India in Mirpur in July 2023, a game that eventually ended in a tie.
Sharmin Akhter holds the aces for Bangladesh as they knock on the doors for their second World Cup appearance. Joty noted, “As the highest run-scorer for Bangladesh, she is vital to our success, as is Sharmin Akhter, who has responded well to moving down the order to number three.”
Akhter was at her absolute best in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Pakistan earlier this year, as she played a massive role in helping Bangladesh secure their World Cup berth. The 29-year-old scored 266 runs from five innings at an average of 66.50, with a top score of 94 not out, ending as the second-highest run-getter of the tournament.
Captain Joty herself had a standout performance in the Qualifiers, finishing as the third-highest run-scorer of the competition, with 241 runs from just five innings at an outstanding average of 60.25. She highlighted the team’s strengths that contributed to their success in Pakistan. “Sharmin scored the most runs for us as we made it through the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Pakistan,” she said.
There is a seamless amalgamation of experience and youth in what looks like a freshly assembled Bangladesh’s squad for the World Cup. As many as seven players from the 2022 World Cup have retained their places in the picked squad, sharing their experience and guidance to several newcomers making their tournament debuts.
The team’s form in 2025 has been mixed so far, with four wins from eight international matches, including a 2-1 series loss against West Indies in January, which forced them to compete in the ICC Qualifiers held in Pakistan.
The team’s spin attack is another key area of strength. Slow-left arm orthodox Akter took six wickets from five matches in the qualifiers at an economy of 4.23. Spin bowling is expected to play a major role in controlling the middle overs and limiting the opposition’s scoring opportunities.
“Also, key to our success were our spin bowlers, and I expect them to thrive in India and Sri Lanka, just as they did in Pakistan. Nahida Akter is our leading wicket-taker in ODIs and T20Is, and is such a key player for us,” the skipper said.
Joty also spoke about the team’s preparation, saying, “We have been practicing very hard for the last few months and hope we can be at our best game in this wonderful moment. I am seeking prayers from Bangladeshi people and fans from around the world.”
However, several notable omissions were also seen in the squad. Promising players like right-arm off-break bowlers Jannatul Ferdus, Ishma Tanjim, and Dilara Akter were unable to make the cut in the 15-member squad.
Bangladesh will lock horns with Pakistan on October 2 in Colombo in their campaign opener, and the Nigar Sultana Joty-led side will pin their hopes on the fresh faces to justify their selection and give their fans moments to relish in this high-stakes tournament.
(Quotes sourced from ICC Press Release)
