‘I believe, if I dream big, I can achieve something great’

Agency :

Bangladesh’s young pace sensation Marufa Akter has emerged as one of the brightest stars of the Women’s ODI World Cup, turning heads with her fiery opening spells.

Known for her deadly inswingers, the right-arm quick has already dismissed top batters like Omaima Sohail, Sidra Ameen, and Amy Jones, earning praise from cricketing legends including Lasith Malinga, Mithali Raj, and Jhulan Goswami.

Still, Marufa remains far from satisfied. In a conversation with Cricfrenzy, she shared that she’s constantly pushing herself to dream bigger and strive for more.

“I always tell myself that staying at this level isn’t enough,” Marufa said. “I keep thinking I have to do something bigger. If I just sit idle, nothing will happen. I believe that if I dream big, I can achieve something great.”

Marufa first came into the spotlight in 2021, when a photo of her helping her father plough the family field because they couldn’t afford cattle went viral.

Those days, however, are behind her now. With her exceptional talent and hard work, the right-arm pacer has not only earned a place in the national team but also achieved star status, transforming her family’s fortunes in the process.

Naturally, her parents are filled with pride. “Yes, my family is proud,” Marufa said with a smile. “Performing well on such a big stage makes them proud of me.”

Bangladesh, who have won one of their first two matches, still have five more games to play in the tournament. Ahead of their next match against New Zealand, Marufa called on fans for continued prayers and support.

“People back home always pray for us and watch our matches,” she said. “I just want to ask them to keep praying and never lose hope. In Sha Allah, we’ll do something special.”