Bangladesh put up a strong fight in the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup, ending with one win and narrowly losing three matches. Despite the results, their performance showcased significant progress on the global stage. Top-scorer Sharmin Akter Supta discussed the campaign in an exclusive interview with Abdullah Al Mehdi of The Daily Star, highlighting missed opportunities, team development, and the future of women’s cricket in Bangladesh.
Reflecting on the overall experience, Supta emphasized the importance of gaining valuable experience from their second ODI World Cup appearance. She noted the need for better planning, courage, and match experience to advance to the knockout stage in future tournaments. Supta expressed optimism about aiming for higher achievements and emphasized the shift towards a winning mindset rather than just focusing on good performances.
Regarding the close matches, Supta attributed the losses to the opponents’ experience under pressure situations. She praised the team’s professionalism and resilience, even in challenging games where victory seemed unlikely. Supta highlighted the need to learn from these experiences to improve their performance in tight matches in the future.
Supta acknowledged the significant contributions of young players like Marufa Akter, Shorna Khatun, and Rabeya Khan, identifying them as key assets for Bangladesh’s future success in cricket. She expressed confidence in their abilities to excel at the international level and lead the team to victory in upcoming competitions.
When discussing the team’s preparation, Supta highlighted the difference between normal match practice and international exposure. She recognized the importance of facing diverse situations in international cricket to enhance their performance and decision-making in critical moments.
On a personal note, Supta admitted that she fell short of her expectations as the team’s top scorer. She aimed to contribute more runs and play at a higher strike rate, reflecting on areas for personal improvement in future tournaments.
Looking ahead, Supta emphasized the need for the top order to enhance their strength, power, and fitness to match international standards. While acknowledging the team’s efforts to play to their strengths, she noted the room for improvement and development in the top-order batting lineup.
In conclusion, Supta expressed optimism about the future of women’s cricket in Bangladesh, citing the team’s hard work and dedication. She highlighted the progress seen across various sports in Bangladesh and praised the initiatives taken by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to support and promote women’s cricket. Supta anticipated significant growth and success for women’s cricket in Bangladesh with continued support and development efforts.