Sports Desk:

Bangladesh pacer Marufa Akter has surged six places in the ICC ODI bowlers’ rankings following her outstanding performance against Pakistan in the Women’s ODI World Cup. Her brilliant bowling in the debut match earned her the player of the match award and now sees her rise to 41st with 411 rating points.

On 2 October in Colombo, Bangladesh began their campaign with a seven-wicket victory over Pakistan. Marufa took 2 wickets for 31 runs in seven overs, dismissing top-order batters Omaima Sohail and Sidra Amin in consecutive deliveries. Sidra Amin’s dismissal was hailed by Lasith Malinga as the tournament’s best delivery.

Her teammate Rabeya Khan also improved, moving up one place to 21st with 528 points, while Nahida Akter remains Bangladesh’s highest-ranked bowler at 9th with 633 points. Against Pakistan, Nahida and Rabeya took 2 and 1 wickets respectively. Sophie Ecclestone continues to lead the global ODI bowlers’ rankings with 792 points, followed by Ashley Gardner, Megan Schutt, and Kim Garth in second, third, and fourth.

In the batters’ rankings, Smriti Mandhana retains the top spot with 791 points, with Natalie Sciver-Brunt and Beth Mooney in second and third. Meanwhile, Ashley Gardner and Sophie Devine have climbed seven places into the top ten. For Bangladesh, captain Nigar Sultana Jyoti has slipped two spots to 27th, while Sharmin Akter Supta is now 31st.