Smiling by way of adversity: Arifa and her wards at Women’s Dreamer Cricket Academy.
Government overthrow and social unrest compelled the relocation of the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup from Bangladesh to the UAE. For Arifa Jahan Bithi and her Women’s Dreamer Cricket Academy, the primary and solely women academy in Bangladesh, a possibility to flip attitudes in the direction of women pursuing cricket was misplaced.
“There is a buzz, but no one takes interest,” she informed The Hindu on the temper across the ongoing women’s ODI World Cup. “Many here still don’t know women play cricket.”
Arifa coaches over 350 women totally free, who play throughout many divisions, together with the Dhaka Premier League. Two are in the nationwide camp as effectively.
She famously posted visuals of Bangladesh pacer Marufa Akter ploughing a paddy discipline throughout the pandemic, which drew consideration and consequently received her help. Marufa’s evolution mirrors how techniques in Bangladesh have had to develop alongside her.
“There is no push at the grassroots for elements like strength and power hitting. Grassroots didn’t have gym, swimming etc. We just bowled, batted, worked on technique,” Arifa defined.
“Cricket needs to reach schools and districts. Ours is primarily still growing from college level. If it drips down, the pool of players will increase,” she famous.
“The facilities and the tiers boys get, they don’t exist for girls. Most schools don’t have cricket for girls.”
Arifa is hopeful that her nation will come away from this World Cup with positives to carry into the long run. “Through the work I’m doing, through talents like Marufa, I want my country to see that girls are no less than anyone,” she mentioned.
Published – October 07, 2025 07:29 pm IST