Marufa Akter

From being taunted to being admired

Marufa Akter has emerged as the new sensation in Bangladesh women’s cricket team. The youngster from Nilphamari was instrumental behind the Tigresses’ maiden ODI win against India, picking up four wickets in the opening match of the three-match series recently. The 18-year-old pacer then held her nerve to defend three runs in the final over in the final ODI as Bangladesh tied the game and drew the series 1-1. Marufa spoke in detail to The Daily Star’s Mazhar Uddin, opening up about her bowling, life, future plans among many other topics during an exclusive interview, the excerpts of which are as follows:

'Got the exposure we always craved'

After leading her side to a historic achievement against a strong India in their recent white-ball series at home, Bangladesh women’s cricket team skipper Nigar Sultana Joty spoke to Mazhar Uddin of The Daily Star, sharing her plans, the areas Bangladesh need to improve, and how the women’s cricket in the country could move forward. Here are the excerpts from the interview:  

Marufa passes SSC with flying colours 

Bangladesh Women’s cricket team pacer Marufa Akter passed the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations with a GPA of 4.06.

‘Marufa saved tiffin money to buy tennis balls’

Bangladesh women’s cricket team’s latest sensation Marufa Akter’s strenuous journey to the country’s national team had her save tiffin money to buy tennis balls to play cricket, her mother Morzina Begum revealed on Sunday.

There’s no stopping Marufa

Certain life stories, however, remain beyond the scope of films or novels. Such one story revolves around Marufa.  

Magical Marufa announces arrival on the world stage

Growing up in rural Bangladesh, Marufa had to fight for the opportunity to play cricket, and then moving to the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan, the national sports institute, she began to believe. 

Joty expects more of the same from Marufa

The Bangladesh v Australia match will get underway at 11:00pm and will be telecast live on GTV and Star Sports Network.

Bangladesh stun Australia in Women's U-19 T20 WC opener 

Bangladesh produced a clinical display to stun defending champions Australia in a seven-wicket win in their opening fixture of the ICC Women's U-19 T20 World Cup at Willowmoore Park, Benoni on Saturday.

Indomitable Marufa ticks all boxes, picks Pandya as role model  

Marufa Akter, the new face of Bangladesh women's cricket team, appears to be a star in the making.

July 29, 2023
July 29, 2023

From being taunted to being admired

Marufa Akter has emerged as the new sensation in Bangladesh women’s cricket team. The youngster from Nilphamari was instrumental behind the Tigresses’ maiden ODI win against India, picking up four wickets in the opening match of the three-match series recently. The 18-year-old pacer then held her nerve to defend three runs in the final over in the final ODI as Bangladesh tied the game and drew the series 1-1. Marufa spoke in detail to The Daily Star’s Mazhar Uddin, opening up about her bowling, life, future plans among many other topics during an exclusive interview, the excerpts of which are as follows:

July 29, 2023
July 29, 2023

'Got the exposure we always craved'

After leading her side to a historic achievement against a strong India in their recent white-ball series at home, Bangladesh women’s cricket team skipper Nigar Sultana Joty spoke to Mazhar Uddin of The Daily Star, sharing her plans, the areas Bangladesh need to improve, and how the women’s cricket in the country could move forward. Here are the excerpts from the interview:  

July 28, 2023
July 28, 2023

Marufa passes SSC with flying colours 

Bangladesh Women’s cricket team pacer Marufa Akter passed the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations with a GPA of 4.06.

July 23, 2023
July 23, 2023

‘Marufa saved tiffin money to buy tennis balls’

Bangladesh women’s cricket team’s latest sensation Marufa Akter’s strenuous journey to the country’s national team had her save tiffin money to buy tennis balls to play cricket, her mother Morzina Begum revealed on Sunday.

July 21, 2023
July 21, 2023

There’s no stopping Marufa

Certain life stories, however, remain beyond the scope of films or novels. Such one story revolves around Marufa.  

February 21, 2023
February 21, 2023

Magical Marufa announces arrival on the world stage

Growing up in rural Bangladesh, Marufa had to fight for the opportunity to play cricket, and then moving to the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan, the national sports institute, she began to believe. 

February 14, 2023
February 14, 2023

Joty expects more of the same from Marufa

The Bangladesh v Australia match will get underway at 11:00pm and will be telecast live on GTV and Star Sports Network.

January 14, 2023
January 14, 2023

Bangladesh stun Australia in Women's U-19 T20 WC opener 

Bangladesh produced a clinical display to stun defending champions Australia in a seven-wicket win in their opening fixture of the ICC Women's U-19 T20 World Cup at Willowmoore Park, Benoni on Saturday.

September 9, 2022
September 9, 2022

Indomitable Marufa ticks all boxes, picks Pandya as role model  

Marufa Akter, the new face of Bangladesh women's cricket team, appears to be a star in the making.