As Bangladesh gear up for their second match of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 against Nat Sciver-Brunt’s England on October 7 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati from 3 PM IST, skipper Nigar Sultana Joty struck a confident tone in the pre-match press conference.
Coming off a seven-wicket victory over Pakistan on October 2 at Colombo, Bangladesh’s only second-ever World Cup win, both against Pakistan, the 28-year-old wicket-keeper batter emphasised that her team’s goal is to showcase their capabilities on the world stage and challenge top-tier sides like England and Australia in this spin-friendly subcontinental campaign.
When Bangladesh takes the field against England, it’ll mark only their second-ever ODI meeting between the two nations, the previous one being in the 2022 edition of the World Cup in New Zealand. For Nigar Sultana, this sense of rarity adds extra motivation.
“This is the stage where we show our capabilities so that teams like England and Australia show interest in playing against us,” she said on match eve, underscoring her ambition for Bangladesh to earn greater exposure against leading cricketing nations.”
Bangladesh’s progression to two consecutive ODI World Cups, 2022 and 2025, has been historic in itself. The new ICC Future Tours Programme (2025–29) has already scheduled Bangladesh’s tour of England in September 2027 for three ODIs and as many T20Is, and Sultana believes consistent fixtures against elite teams will no longer be exceptions but part of Bangladesh’s steady climb in world cricket.
The reigning Bangladesh side entered this tournament brimming with quiet optimism, and their thumping win over Pakistan only strengthened their resolve. Led by Sultana’s calm leadership and an astute bowling display, the team looked composed and balanced. “The win over Pakistan gave us a lot of confidence, and we want to carry that same energy into the next game,” Joty remarked.
While England head into the encounter on the back of a convincing win in their opener, Bangladesh’s growing self-belief signals the emergence of a fearless unit. “We want to play our A-game and don’t want to go by just names. We will try to make lesser mistakes and take confidence from the win over Pakistan,” added Sultana, reiterating her side’s focus on process over pressure.
Among the brightest sparks in Bangladesh’s campaign so far is 20-year-old pacer Marufa Akter, whose fiery opening spells have drawn widespread attention. Her new-ball burst against Pakistan, dismissing Omaima Sohail and Sidra Amin in her very first over, set the tone for Bangladesh’s clinical performance. She finished with figures of 2 for 31, reaffirming her position as the leader of Bangladesh’s pace pack.
Captain Sultana didn’t hold back in her praise for the youngster: “I think so,” she responded when asked if Marufa could become Bangladesh’s greatest pacer ever. “We’ve had some good pacers before, but the kind of exposure Marufa has received, nobody else has had that.”
In a nation renowned for its spinners, Marufa’s pace artistry has added a refreshing dimension to the team’s attack. However, Sultana was quick to caution her protégée about handling the growing attention. “It’s very important for her to stay focused on the World Cup right now. Whatever is happening around her shouldn’t affect her performance. She should concentrate on herself, how to prepare for the upcoming games and how best she can perform for the team,” she advised.
During Bangladesh’s first practice session in India, Marufa’s exuberance was unmistakable. Even as rain pushed the team indoors, her energy lit up the nets. She troubled captain Sultana frequently, even managing to bowl her once, a testament to her rhythm and hunger. With her ability to swing the new ball and extract movement, she could be crucial against England’s openers, particularly Tammy Beaumont, who tends to struggle early against the incoming angle.
England’s multi-pronged attack, featuring pace and spin depth, presents a vigorous test for Bangladesh batters, who have often found it challenging to accelerate in ODI conditions. Conversely, if the Guwahati track offers spin, Bangladesh’s spin-heavy lineup, led by the experienced Nahida Akter, could turn the contest sharply in their favour.
Sultana’s tactical awareness shone through as she noted, “Yes, we haven’t played against them since the T20 World Cup in 2022. But we definitely have some calculations and information about them because our analysts provide us with a lot of data. We just want to play our A game as a unit and not go by their names.”
Her words mirrored the collective focus within the squad, a mix of resilience, learning, and quiet determination. “Every particular day is important, and we want to minimise our mistakes. We aim to play our normal game, and in a match like this, we need to bring our best version,” Sultana asserted.
As Bangladesh prepare to face England in Guwahati, this contest not only symbolises a battle for points but also a statement of progress, a testament to how far they have come since their debut at the highest stage. Under Nigar Sultana Joty’s composed leadership and with emerging talents like Marufa Akter standing tall, Bangladesh appears poised to script another memorable chapter in their cricketing journey.
For Sultana, today’s match is more than just an ODI fixture; it’s about proving that Bangladesh belongs among the best.
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