Bangladesh Captain Nigar Sultana Confident About Marufa Akhter’s Availability for World Cup Qualifier

With captain Nigar Sultana sounding hopeful about the availability of youthful pace wonder Marufa Akhter, Bangladesh women’s cricket team is getting ready for the forthcoming ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Pakistan.

The event, eagerly anticipated by cricket fans like billy777, is expected to start on April 9, and the team is supposed to leave for Pakistan on April 3.

Qualification is extremely important since the top two teams would guarantee their places in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, which India is supposed to host later this year. Bangladesh, with its spin-heavy attack, will want to leave a big impact on its rivals.

Comeback Following Injury Layoff Marufa Akhter

The fitness of Marufa Akhter, the outstanding young fast bowler who has been sidelined due to a shoulder injury, has been one of the main talking topics ahead of the competition.

Her absence was particularly noted during the just-finished Women’s Dhaka Premier League, where she rested during her recovery.

“She (Marufa) was not allowed to play in the Premier League so that she would remain fresh for the qualifiers,” Captain Nigar Sultana said in an upbeat update on Marufa’s recuperation.

Fast bowlers need cautious control. Hence, we wish not to overload her since she is still young.”

Starting full-intensity bowling on March 26, Marufa has shown encouraging development. Sultana said, praising the young pacer’s commitment:

“She never complained even though she missed the league. Rather, she concentrated especially on training. She has already been bowling normally in practice, and we intend to have her on hand from Pakistan right from beginning.”

Bangladesh will benefit much from Marufa’s comeback since her speed and early strike skills will deliver vital powerplay over breakthroughs.

The Confidence of Bangladesh When talking about the prospects of her team in the qualifications, Nigar Sultana radiated optimism.

Bangladesh is resolved to repeat the achievement after having previously followed a similar road to guarantee a place in the ODI World Cup.

“Look, the main thing is that we will qualify—that is the meaning of ‘qualifier’. We also had to follow this procedure last time in order to play the ODI World Cup. For us, this time, the challenge is the same.

She admitted that although Bangladesh had missed some chances in the past, the team’s confidence would be greatly improved by a solid qualifying performance.

“Although there were chances we could not completely seize before, the team will benefit much if we play better in the qualifiers. Everybody expects us to carve out our spot in the ODI World Cup.”

Spin against pace: Bangladesh’s bowling approach.

With players like Salma Khatun, Nahida Akter, and Fahima Khatun playing key parts, Bangladesh’s bowling assault has always been spin-dominated.

Still, the squad has been focusing on adjusting to various pitch conditions—particularly ones that might benefit batting.

Sultana clarified the squad’s strategy: “Our team depends mostly on spin, hence accurate bowling on subcontinent pitches usually results in wickets. On better batting surfaces, however, taking wickets calls more effort.”

Bangladesh has concentrated on economical bowling rather than merely wicket-taking in order to offset better batting line-ups. “We’ve been working on maintaining inexpensive periods rather than only focusing on wickets.

It will be imperative to limit teams to a reasonable score, hence changing our bowling lengths has been rather important in our preparation.”

Marufa Akhter gives Bangladesh a much-needed pace alternative with spinners, hence adding a fresh angle to the assault.

The road ahead: main obstacles and expectations

Teams like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe, and the USA will fight fiercely for the two World Cup slots in the six-team qualifier. Bangladesh will have to bring their A-game if it is to qualify.

Important elements contributing to Bangladesh’s success

• The Fitness of Marufa Akhter: Early breakthroughs will depend much on her availability and form.
• Bangladesh’s spinners have to keep pressure and grab middle-over wickets.
• Leading from Nigar Sultana and Fargana Hoque, the top order has to post competitive totals.
• In close games, sharp fielding and disciplined bowling will be absolutely crucial.

Finally, Bangladesh has a do-or-die mission.

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For Bangladesh, the forthcoming World Cup Qualifier is either a make-or-break event. The team has the means to triumph with Marufa Akhter back and a ready-made spin attack. The confidence of Captain Nigar Sultana captures the squad’s conviction in their capacity.

Bangladesh’s clear goal as it heads for Pakistan is to earn a place in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup and keep on their global cricket ascent.

Viewers will be keenly observing to see whether the Tigresses can roar loud enough to occupy a spot among the best in the world.