PHOTO: AFP

The first over of the team’s World Cup opener, a pacer runs in with the glistening white ball, lets it rip with a proud seam, the ball swirls in the air, changing direction as it approaches the pitch, kisses the earth and zips inwards with the seam to rattle the stumps of a right-hander. Bangladesh’s Marufa Akter did exactly that to Omaima Sohel (0) in the fifth ball of their opening match at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 against Pakistan in Colombo on Thursday. In the next ball, she did it again, this time against the in-form Sidra Amin, who managed to make connection with the ball, but only with the inside edge of the willow, after which the ball crashed onto the stumps. Marufa (2-31) set the tone with that opening burst as Bangladesh eventually bundled out Pakistan for a mere 129 in 38.3 overs.