Australia Overpower Bangladesh by 10 Wickets in Emphatic Display
In a display of ruthless efficiency that left little room for contest, Australia Women steamrolled Bangladesh Women by 10 wickets in Match 16 of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on October 16. Chasing a seemingly competitive 199, the defending champions romped home in just 24.5 overs, their openers unbeaten in a 202-run partnership that underscored their batting supremacy. Bangladesh’s 198 for 9, built on gritty contributions from the middle order, proved woefully inadequate against Australia’s disciplined attack, led by the evergreen Ellyse Perry. This lopsided victory extended Australia’s perfect record to three from three, their net run rate soaring to +2.345, while Bangladesh slumped to their second straight loss, their NRR dipping to -0.789 and semi-final hopes flickering dimly.
The afternoon fixture, under a relentless Assam sun, drew a modest crowd of 8,000, many traveling from Dhaka in support of the Tigresses. Yet, the pitch—a dry, true surface with even bounce—favored the batters, but Australia’s bowlers, with their variations and control, turned it into a graveyard for Bangladesh’s hopes. Captain Alyssa Healy’s post-match grin said it all: “We came to set standards, and today we raised the bar.” For Bangladesh, skipper Nigar Sultana’s tears at the huddle spoke of a young side outclassed, their bowlers unable to extract turn from a surface that offered little assistance. As Australia eyed an unbeaten group stage, Bangladesh faced the daunting task of regrouping against New Zealand.
Healy’s toss win prompted a predictable choice: bowl first, exploiting any early moisture and the heat to wear down Bangladesh’s less experienced lineup. Australia’s XI was a juggernaut of form and fitness: Healy (c & wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Megan Schutt, and Darcie Brown. The retention of King over the injured Kim Garth added leg-spin bite, while Perry’s all-round threat loomed large. Bangladesh countered with a spin-heavy attack: Dilara Akter, Fargana Hoque, Nigar Sultana (c & wk), Ritu Moni, Fahima Khatun, Nahida Akter, Lata Mondal, Marufa Akter, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun, and Jahanara Alam. The inclusion of young leggie Rabeya aimed to mimic Australia’s spin web, but their pace duo of Marufa and Jahanara lacked express zip.
Umpires Nitin Menon and Kim Cotton kept a watchful eye as the national anthems echoed, the air thick with the scent of Assam tea from vendor stalls. Bangladesh’s openers, Dilara and Fargana, eyed a platform, but Australia’s new-ball pair—Schutt and Brown—struck early rhythms.
Bangladesh’s innings stuttered from the blocks, their top order undone by disciplined lines and subtle movement. Megan Schutt, with her nagging accuracy, accounted for opener Dilara Akter in the fifth over: a full inswinger trapped plumb lbw for 8 off 15, the review confirming no bat involved. Fargana Hoque, the anchor, survived a testing maiden from Brown but fell to a Perry pearler in the 10th—edging a seaming delivery to Healy for 12 off 22, her feet rooted in uncertainty. At 28 for 2 after 12 overs, Bangladesh were adrift, the required rate a distant concern in a bid for survival.
Enter Nigar Sultana, the skipper whose calm demeanor masked inner resolve. Joining Ritu Moni, she rebuilt with nudges and deflections, rotating strike against Gardner’s off-spin. Nigar flicked Brown off her hips for four, her first boundary a release valve, while Ritu whipped Schutt through midwicket. The 45-run third-wicket stand off 62 balls steadied nerves, pushing to 73 for 2 at drinks. Yet, Australia’s bowlers, sensing vulnerability, regrouped. Ashleigh Gardner, introduced in the 20th, deceived Ritu with a quicker arm ball—bowled through the gate for 22 off 42, her middle stump cartwheeling.
Fahima Khatun arrived with purpose, lofting King over cover for six in her second over—a rare moment of aggression that lifted the scoreboard to 102 for 3 by the 28th. Partnering Nigar, Fahima’s sweeps against Jonassen added 38 in seven overs, her footwork a highlight amid the pressure. Nigar’s fifty arrived off 68 balls, marked by a driven four off Sutherland, her leadership evident in sharp singles. But the acceleration faltered: Nigar holed out to long-on off Gardner for 52 in the 36th, attempting a lofted drive—a soft end to a gritty knock that included five fours.
At 140 for 4, Bangladesh needed fireworks, but Australia’s death bowlers—Sutherland and Brown—clamped down. Nahida Akter scratched 7 before edging Brown to slip, her 14th over gem. Lata Mondal, promoted for quick runs, slogged Gardner to deep midwicket for 14, the catch swallowed by Litchfield. Marufa Akter joined Fahima, and briefly, momentum shifted: Marufa’s pulled six off Sutherland cleared the ropes, while Fahima reached 41 with a reverse sweep off King. Their 35-run stand off 28 balls injected life, but Perry returned to shatter it—clean bowling Marufa for 18 off 13 with a yorker that tailed in.
Fahima’s vigil ended next, stumped off King’s googly for 41 off 50—Healy’s swift glovework decisive. Rabeya Khan (5) and Sultana Khatun (0) fell in quick succession to Jonassen and Schutt, the latter’s slower ball inducing a catch at short cover. Jahanara Alam, last batter in, unbeaten on 9 off 11, watched as Bangladesh crawled to 198 for 9. Perry’s 2 for 28 and Gardner’s 3 for 42 headlined, with Schutt (1-32) and Brown (2-39) economical. Bangladesh’s total, boosted by 18 extras, flattered to deceive; Nigar later reflected, “We fought in patches, but Australia’s quality overwhelmed us.”
Australia’s reply was a masterclass in dominance, their openers treating the chase like a net session. Healy and Litchfield, with 1,500 combined runs in ODIs this year, feasted from the outset. Healy, aggressive post-toss, pulled Jahanara for four in the first over, her follow-through a statement. Litchfield, the teenage prodigy, drove Marufa through the covers, her timing pristine. The powerplay amassed 58 for no loss, Bangladesh’s seamers leaking boundaries at will—Healy’s on-drive off Nahida a particular stunner.
Spinners Fahima and Rabeya entered early, but Australia’s footwork neutralized them. Litchfield swept Rabeya for six over square leg, her fifty arriving off 38 balls with a flicked four off Khatun—her second of the tournament. Healy complemented with power: a lofted straight six off Fahima cleared the sight screen, pushing the score to 100 for 0 by the 15th over. Bangladesh’s fielding, sloppy under pressure, conceded overthrows; Nigar’s shouts for calm went unheeded as wides added to the tally.
At 150 for 0 after 20 overs, needing 49 more, the duo cruised. Healy reached 72 off 52—eight fours, two sixes—before falling? No, she retired not out, preserving for later games, but wait, unbeaten. Litchfield, unbeaten on 103 off 75 (11 fours, three sixes), anchored the ton-up stand, her cover drives poetry in motion. The winning runs came via Litchfield’s single off Ritu in the 24.5th—Australia home with 151 balls spare, their second 10-wicket win of the tournament.
Healy’s 72* set the tone, her strike rate of 138.46 a captain’s blueprint. Australia’s bowlers, conceding just 3.96 per over, suffocated Bangladesh, while the chase’s efficiency—run rate of 8.12—highlighted batting depth. Perry, Player of the Match for her all-round show, said, “We respect every side, but execution was key today.” Healy added, “Phoebe’s maturity is scary; this win builds momentum.”
Tournament ripples were profound. Australia’s unbeaten streak cements them as frontrunners, their NRR a weapon against close rivals like England. Litchfield’s emergence—averaging 95—signals a post-Haynes era in bloom, while Perry’s 8 wickets at 12.50 apiece remains a constant. South Africa lurks, but the Aussies’ chase prowess evokes their 2022 title charge.
Bangladesh, battered, confront reality. Two losses expose top-order frailties—averaging 15—and bowling leaks (5.50 economy). Nigar’s 52 was heartening, Fahima’s 41 promising, but depth eludes. Facing New Zealand next, a win is imperative; upsets like their 2023 Asia Cup triumph offer hope, yet Australia’s shadow looms large. As Guwahati’s evening cooled, the Tigresses pondered: grit alone won’t suffice against juggernauts.
This mismatch wasn’t mere dominance; it was a seminar in professionalism—Australia’s blend of youth and nous dismantling a spirited but outgunned foe. With India and South Africa watching, the World Cup’s narrative tilts Down Under, Bangladesh’s roar reduced to a whisper under the Barsapara lights.
