Bangladesh pacer Marufa Akter broke down in tears as she recalled the hardships her family faced before she became a national star. 

 

In a documentary aired by the ICC ahead of Bangladesh’s clash against New Zealand in Guwahati, the 20-year-old shared how her family was once shunned by their village.

 

“They wouldn’t invite us to various gatherings, saying we didn’t have proper clothes. If we go there, we’ll lose our respect, that’s what they used to say… there was a time when we couldn’t even afford new clothes for Eid,” she said.

 

Marufa, who hails from a farming background, revealed that she used to plough fields alongside her father on leased land during the COVID-19 pandemic. “My father is a farmer. We didn’t have much money, and even the people in the village where I grew up weren’t very supportive,” she said.

 

Despite the struggles, Marufa’s rise has been remarkable. She has emerged as Bangladesh’s standout bowler, taking five wickets in three games at an economy rate of 6.15. Her impressive in-swingers that dismissed Omaima Sohail and Sidra Amin made headlines and cemented her position as a key player in the team.

 

“Actually, the position we are in now, others aren’t quite there. The way I support my family, perhaps many boys can’t do the same. That gives me a special kind of peace. As a child, I used to wonder when people would look at us with admiration and applaud. Now, when I see myself on TV, I feel shy,” she added.

 

Since joining the national side after the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in 2023, Marufa has made her mark in both formats. 

 

In 29 ODIs, she has taken 25 wickets, including a four-wicket haul against India in July 2023. In T20Is, she has claimed 20 wickets in 30 matches, with a standout three-wicket performance against Sri Lanka.