Pace prodigy Marufa Akter ready to make waves in UAE

Marufa Akter has rapidly emerged as one of Bangladesh's most promising fast bowlers in women's cricket.

Her recent accolade—being named the winner of the ESPNCricinfo Women's ODI Bowling Performance of the Year for 2023—only solidifies her growing reputation. The award was for her remarkable four-wicket haul against India in July 2023, a performance that played a pivotal role in Bangladesh's first-ever ODI win over their neighbours.

Marufa's figures of 4 for 29 stand as the best performance by a Bangladeshi fast bowler in women's ODIs, with her scalps including the likes of Smriti Mandhana, Priya Punia, Amanjot Kaur, and Sneh Rana. Bowling with incredible control and precision in her seven-over spell, she led Bangladesh to a 40-run victory while defending a low total of just 152.

At just 19 years old, Marufa's rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Making her debut at 17, the right-arm medium-fast bowler quickly became a key player in Bangladesh's bowling attack. Her pace and ability to move the ball both ways have made her a standout, especially in the early overs. Though primarily recognised as a new-ball bowler, head coach Hashan Tillakaratne has admitted that her death bowling still requires work, a challenge the team is actively addressing ahead of crucial tournaments.

In addition to the recognition from ESPNCricinfo, Marufa was also nominated for the ICC Women's Emerging Cricketer of the Year award in January 2024, highlighting her growing prominence in the international cricketing arena.

As Bangladesh gears up for the Women's T20 World Cup, which was relocated from Bangladesh to the UAE due to political unrest, Marufa is preparing herself for the change in conditions. She believes that mental preparation is as critical as adapting to the pitch. "The key is being mentally prepared and adjusting to the pitch conditions. If you can adapt to the pitch, you always give yourself a better chance to perform well. So, my focus has primarily been on preparing myself mentally, and once I do that, I can better focus on my bowling", she said.

The UAE pitches are likely to offer slower conditions compared to other venues, but Marufa remains confident. As Bangladesh's spearhead, her ability to strike early will be crucial to the team's success. However, Marufa is also aware of her responsibility to guide the younger, less experienced players in the squad. "Of course, I always try to help them in any way I can. Whether they're from BKSP or the U-19 team, I do my best to give them the right advice and share my experiences so they can improve themselves and contribute to the team," she explained.

Looking ahead to the tournament, Marufa is determined to contribute to Bangladesh's World Cup campaign, setting her sights on helping the team achieve their goals. "My goal is simple: to bowl to the best of my ability and win matches for my team. If I can help Bangladesh achieve our collective goals, then I'll consider that a success. It's all about making sure my performance aligns with the team's objectives," she added.

With 18 wickets in 26 T20I matches at an average of 26.11, Marufa has already proven her capability on the international stage. Although she took only four wickets in the 2023 T20 World Cup, her development since then positions her as a crucial asset for Bangladesh in their upcoming matches.

Bangladesh is set to begin their World Cup journey on 3 October, with a match against Scotland in Sharjah.