Bangladesh Finish 7th in Women’s World Cup 2025
The final group-stage match of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 between India and Bangladesh in Navi Mumbai ended in a washout after unseasonal rain.
For Bangladesh, that rain turned into a silent savior. India, cruising at 57 for 0 in their chase of 126, looked destined for a comfortable victory. But nature intervened once more, forcing the umpires to abandon play — handing both sides a single point.
That point proved crucial. It allowed Bangladesh to leapfrog Pakistan and finish seventh in the standings, a small yet meaningful success for a team still carving its place among the world’s elite.
Delayed Starts, Unfinished Battles
The day began on a frustrating note, as rain delayed the start of play by over two hours. The match was initially reduced to 43 overs a side, and Bangladesh were sent in to bat under grey skies and heavy humidity.
But the weather refused to cooperate. Another spell of rain midway through Bangladesh’s innings further reduced the match to 27 overs per side. What followed was a stop-start contest that tested both patience and adaptability — and, ultimately, was decided by forces beyond any player’s control.
Bangladesh’s Batting: Grit Amidst Struggle
With the ball gripping and the air heavy, Bangladesh’s batters faced a stern test against India’s spin attack. Opener Sharmin Akhter stood tall with a composed 36, showing resilience and a willingness to anchor the innings despite wickets tumbling around her.
The rest of the lineup, however, found it difficult to settle against Radha Yadav’s left-arm spin (3 for 30) and Shree Charani’s control (2 for 23). Bangladesh stumbled to 119 for 9 in their 27 overs — a total that looked below par, especially against an Indian batting lineup led by Smriti Mandhana.
Yet, in hindsight, those 119 runs — hard-earned and defiant — became enough when the skies opened again.
Fighting Spirit in the Field
Defending 119 required heart, precision, and teamwork — qualities Bangladesh have quietly built over the years. Despite the small total, the Tigresses fought with intensity.
Marufa Akter, Bangladesh’s young pace sensation, found early movement and tested the Indian openers with sharp inswingers. Her fiery spells showed the potential Bangladesh have in their next generation of bowlers.
India, however, looked comfortable. Mandhana (34)* and Amanjot Kaur (15)* batted fluently, rotating strike and dispatching loose balls with ease. By the ninth over, they had reached 57 without loss, seemingly cruising towards the target.
But cricket’s unpredictability struck again.
Drama in the Field: Pratika Rawal’s Injury
In what could have been a routine fielding moment, Indian opener Pratika Rawal twisted her knee and ankle while chasing a boundary during Bangladesh’s innings. The injury forced her to miss India’s chase — a worrying moment for the Indian camp ahead of their semifinal against Australia.
For Bangladesh, it was a brief pause amid a relentless contest, but it also reflected how intense and physically demanding the game had been on both sides.
When Rain Called the Final Shot
Just as the Indian openers settled and looked ready to accelerate, drizzle began to fall again over Navi Mumbai. What started as a light mist soon turned into a downpour.
By 5:50 PM, players were off the field. The match resumed briefly, but the wet outfield and continued showers made conditions impossible. At 10:20 PM, the umpires finally called off the game.
For India, it was frustration. For Bangladesh, relief — and a reminder that perseverance, no matter the odds, sometimes gets its reward.
A Point That Mattered: Bangladesh Finish Seventh
The single point from the abandoned match proved decisive. Bangladesh, who had fought valiantly throughout the tournament but often fell short in close matches, edged past Pakistan to finish seventh on net run rate.
This finish was not just a statistical improvement. It symbolized Bangladesh’s growing maturity as a team — one that no longer bows easily to the pressure of elite opponents.
For a side that had come close against England, Sri Lanka, and South Africa, the final result offered a silver lining to their campaign.
Joty: “We’ve Been Working Hard as a Group”
Reflecting on the tournament and Bangladesh’s journey, captain Nigar Sultana Joty praised her team’s unity and hard work: “Maybe it will take one or two weeks to recover. How we started the tournament it gave us momentum and we played a few close games against England, Sri Lanka and South Africa. Some moments could have helped us win those. We’ve been working hard as a group and we know each other, it helps us in the ground. Our young players are giving 110% and they have given a lot of positives. There are a lot of things we can take from here which we will discuss about, like the areas we can work on.”
Joty’s words captured both pride and realism — acknowledging how close Bangladesh came to upsets while focusing on the lessons ahead.
Her leadership has been a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s progress, guiding a blend of experienced campaigners and emerging talents like Marufa Akter, Shorna Akter, and Sobhana Mostary.
Lessons from the Campaign
Bangladesh’s World Cup 2025 campaign will be remembered not just for results, but for resilience.
The Tigresses displayed improved fielding standards, tighter bowling discipline, and greater tactical awareness. However, inconsistency in the middle order and the need for stronger finishing remain key areas for growth.
Still, their ability to challenge stronger teams — and to stay competitive under pressure — marks a significant step forward.
With continued investment in women’s cricket and the rise of local talent, Bangladesh’s women’s team is no longer a story of potential. It’s a story of progress in motion.
Looking Ahead
As the World Cup enters its knockout stage, Bangladesh will return home with heads held high. Finishing seventh might not grab headlines, but for a side developing rapidly and learning from each game, it represents progress and pride.
The abandoned match against India may have ended in rain, but for Bangladesh, it washed away disappointment — leaving behind hope, belief, and a renewed hunger for success.
