The seventeenth encounter of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 promises an enthralling clash as Australia Women lock horns with Bangladesh Women on October 16th at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam. The contest begins at 3:00 PM IST, and with both sides displaying glimpses of brilliance in their campaigns, fans can expect a riveting battle under the bright Vizag sun.
Australia began their campaign in dominant fashion, staging a magnificent recovery against New Zealand — turning 128/5 into 327 before sealing an emphatic 89-run victory. Their next fixture against Sri Lanka was unfortunately washed out due to rain, but they bounced back in style against Pakistan. Reeling at 115/8, Beth Mooney and Alana King stitched a composed partnership to lift the side to 221/9, before the bowlers dismantled Pakistan for 114. Their momentum peaked against India, chasing down a daunting target of 331 with an over to spare, reaffirming their credentials as tournament favorites.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, have shown heart and resilience throughout their campaign. They opened with a clinical win over Pakistan, bundling them out for 129 and chasing the target with seven wickets in hand. Against England, they displayed commendable fight — posting 179 on a challenging surface and reducing the defending champions to 103/6 before Heather Knight’s composure and a few contentious umpiring calls turned the game around. A tough outing against New Zealand followed, where they were dismissed for 127 in pursuit of 227. However, they bounced back admirably against South Africa, posting 232 and taking the contest to the final over before falling narrowly short.
Squads:
Australia Women’s Cricket Team
Alyssa Healy (C), Darcie Brown, Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham
Bangladesh Women’s Cricket Team
Nigar Sultana (C, WK), Sobhana Mostary, Murshida Khatun, Fargana Hoque, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Nahida Akter, Marufa Akter, Ritu Moni, Salma Khatun, Lata Mondal, Sultana Khatun, Fariha Trisna, Dilara Akter, Shorifa Khatun
Players to watch out:
Phoebe Litchfield
The 22-year-old left-handed opener continues to impress with her consistency and composure at the top. Her last five innings read 88, 71, 45, 10, and 40, with the last three coming in this World Cup — a sign that she’s been getting strong starts but is due for a big score. Having already amassed 1,078 runs in 32 ODIs at an impressive average, with a highest of 119, Litchfield’s ability to anchor and accelerate makes her a crucial cog in Australia’s batting order. Her impeccable timing and ability to rotate strike could well define the innings against Bangladesh’s spinners.
Alana King
The 29-year-old leg spinner has quietly built a reputation as one of the most reliable lower-order performers in world cricket. Her last five figures — 0/60, 0/19, 2/44, 1/19, and 0/49 — underline her economy and control, even when wickets haven’t come in bunches. Her match-saving knock of 51 against Pakistan* rescued Australia from trouble, showcasing her invaluable batting depth. In her 43 ODIs, she has claimed 62 wickets, with a best of 5/46, and her uncanny ability to extract turn and flight could prove decisive on the slow Vizag surface.
Shorna Akter
At just 18, Shorna Akter has already made her mark as one of Bangladesh’s brightest young stars. Her all-round brilliance has shone through this World Cup — claiming 3/5 against Pakistan with the ball and producing a fearless 51* off 35 balls against South Africa under pressure. In 22 ODIs, she has scored 216 runs and taken 7 wickets, but her maturity and confidence belie her age. Shorna’s aggressive intent with the bat and knack for breaking partnerships make her a game-changer for Bangladesh in the middle overs.
Nahida Akter
The 24-year-old left-arm spinner has been a consistent force for Bangladesh over the past few seasons. Her recent spell of performances — 3/28 (warm-up), 2/19, 0/34, 1/36, and 2/44 — reflect her rhythm and control through all phases of the innings. With 74 wickets in 58 ODIs and a best of 5/21, Nahida remains Bangladesh’s go-to bowler whenever they need a breakthrough. Her ability to exploit spin-friendly conditions at Vizag could be Bangladesh’s biggest weapon against Australia’s powerful lineup.
Pitch:
The pitch at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Stadium offers a balanced contest between bat and ball. Early on, pacers can generate bounce and movement, but as the match progresses, spinners come into play with grip and turn. Batting tends to become challenging under lights, making the toss crucial. Historically, teams batting first have fared better here. The average first-innings total stands around 252, with an average of six wickets falling per innings — expect a contest that rewards patience and skill over raw power.
Weather:
Visakhapatnam is expected to witness bright and sunny conditions with a 0% chance of rain on matchday. Temperatures will hover around 32°C, with 77% humidity, making for testing conditions under the sun. A 19 kph breeze could assist seamers early, before spin takes control in the later stages. Expect a full day’s play with conditions favoring high-quality cricket.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Annabel Sutherland, Beth Mooney, Alana King, Kim Garth, Ashleigh Gardner, Phoebe Litchfield, Nigar Sultana Joty, Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Nahida Akhter
Match Details:
Date – October 16, 2025
Time – 3:00 PM IST
Venue – Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
Broadcast – Live on Star Sports Network | Streaming on JioHotstar
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