For Bangladesh’s promising batter Rubya Haider, the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 was more than just a tournament; it was an eye-opening experience that reshaped her understanding of international cricket.
Competing on the biggest stage for the first time, Haider not only announced herself with a match-winning half century against Pakistan but also gained invaluable lessons from sharing the field with some of the world’s best players, including India’s Smriti Mandhana and Australia’s Alyssa Healy.
Haider’s debut was dreamlike. Walking out to bat in Bangladesh’s opening match, the 28-year-old produced a calm yet determined innings that anchored her team to a seven-wicket win. It was the ideal start to their campaign, and for Haider personally, a moment that validated years of effort and belief. Reflecting on her World Cup journey, she said the experience gave her a fresh perspective on how elite players approach the game.
One of Haider’s biggest takeaways came from watching world class performers up close. Standing on the same field as Mandhana and Healy, she observed their composure, clarity, and ability to handle pressure effortlessly. “Smriti Mandhana , I watched her batting. As a lefty, I really liked her batting,” Haider said in an interview with The Daily Star. She looked so calm and cool at the crease. Alyssa Healy too, she scored a hundred against Bangladesh. Watching them, it felt as if they could read minds; that’s how smartly they play cricket.
Mandhana went on to finish the tournament as India’s top run getter, while Healy’s twin centuries powered Australia into the knockout stage. For Haider, their performances showcased the maturity and experience that come only with years of top-level play. “They have played more and that really matters,” she noted. “Match day situations are not the same as practice sessions. The maturity and confidence come from that experience.”
Bangladesh, though unable to progress beyond the group stage, showed marked improvement from their 2022 campaign. They remained in contention for a semi-final spot until a narrow loss to Sri Lanka dashed their hopes. Even in defeats to stronger sides like England and South Africa, they displayed grit and consistency. Bangladesh’s batting in particular showed growth, registering eight half centuries across the tournament, a remarkable leap from the previous edition.
Haider highlighted this progress as one of the team’s biggest positives. “Among the good memories, we had eight fifties this time. Sobhana Mostary hit two, Supta apu (Sharmin Akter) made two, Joty scored one, and Shorna Akter had one. Although we were hoping for a century, but it didn’t happen. Overall, we are very happy that at least we could perform better in some areas than before.”
Beyond the numbers, Haider’s reflections captured the emotional and mental growth that comes with competing on the world stage. She described the experience as surreal, saying the atmosphere was different to anything she had known before. Observing top players closely, she admired their confidence, game awareness, and mindset, which inspired her to aim higher.
For Rubya Haider, the 2025 World Cup was more than a memorable debut; it marked her evolution as a cricketer and deepened her understanding of what truly distinguishes the greats from the rest.
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