The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 continues to unfold with thrilling narratives and surprising turns, and the 11th match of the tournament is no exception. Set at the picturesque Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, the contest between New Zealand Women and Bangladesh Women promises to be a crucial fixture that could shape both teams’ campaigns moving forward.
For New Zealand, this encounter is all about redemption and revival. After suffering back-to-back defeats, the White Ferns are in desperate need of a win to keep their semifinal hopes alive. On the other hand, Bangladesh arrive with confidence and momentum, buoyed by their spirited performances so far — proving that they are no longer pushovers on the global stage.
New Zealand’s Rocky Start: Searching for Rhythm and Redemption
The White Ferns entered the Women’s World Cup 2025 as one of the more experienced sides, but their start has been far from ideal. Losses to Australia and South Africa have not only dented their confidence but also exposed key weaknesses in their batting depth and bowling execution.
Captain Sophie Devine has been one of the few bright spots, consistently leading from the front with both bat and ball. Her fighting half-centuries in both matches showcased her determination and class, but cricket is a team sport — and Devine’s individual brilliance has lacked the necessary support from her teammates.
Amelia Kerr and Suzie Bates, two pillars of New Zealand’s batting order, have struggled to convert starts into impactful scores. Bates’ experience at the top is invaluable, yet her form has dipped under pressure, while Kerr — often the team’s engine room — has been caught between stabilizing the innings and accelerating when required.
Their middle order, comprising Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, and Isabella Gaze, has also looked fragile against disciplined bowling. In the last match against South Africa, New Zealand’s collapse in the middle overs was particularly alarming, as they failed to rotate the strike and lost wickets to soft dismissals.
Bowling-wise, the White Ferns have lacked consistency. Jess Kerr and Lea Tahuhu have shown flashes of aggression with the new ball, but their inability to sustain pressure has allowed opponents to rebuild easily. Spinners like Eden Carson and Amelia Kerr need to step up in Guwahati, where conditions could offer some grip and turn in the later stages of the innings.
As they prepare for this must-win encounter, New Zealand will be aware that anything less than victory could virtually end their campaign.
Bangladesh Women: Rising Force and Relentless Spirit
While Bangladesh entered the tournament as underdogs, their performances have been nothing short of impressive. They started their campaign with a historic win over Pakistan, showcasing their growing maturity and fearless approach to pressure situations. Their narrow defeat to England in the following game further proved that they are capable of challenging world-class sides on any given day.
Under the calm leadership of Nigar Sultana Joty, Bangladesh have developed a strong identity — one built on discipline, teamwork, and smart cricket. Their bowlers, particularly Nahida Akter and Marufa Akter, have been the standout performers.
Nahida, the left-arm spinner, has choked opposition batters with her tight lines and subtle variations, while Marufa’s pace and swing have consistently provided early breakthroughs. Together, they have given Bangladesh an edge in the bowling department — an area where the team has historically relied on spin but is now finding balance with pace.
With the bat, Bangladesh have shown gradual but meaningful improvement. Fargana Hoque and Sobhana Mostary have been reliable at the top, while Shorna Akter and Nigar Sultana have anchored the middle order with composure. Though their totals haven’t been massive, Bangladesh’s approach has been pragmatic — build partnerships, rotate strike, and cash in on loose deliveries.
More importantly, the team’s confidence has been growing match by match. Against England, Bangladesh came within striking distance of a major upset — losing by just 16 runs after a spirited chase. That performance has ignited belief that they can compete toe-to-toe with the world’s best.
Barsapara Cricket Stadium: A Batter’s Paradise with Late Spin Drama
Located in Guwahati, the Barsapara Cricket Stadium is one of India’s newer cricketing venues but has quickly earned a reputation as a high-scoring ground. The pitch offers good bounce and even carry, particularly in the first half of the match, allowing batters to play their strokes freely through the line.
Fast bowlers can extract movement under overcast conditions, especially with the new ball, but once the surface settles, it tends to become a batting haven. However, as the match progresses, the pitch often slows down, bringing spinners into play — especially during the second innings when the ball grips more.
Teams batting first have traditionally enjoyed success at this venue, but chasing teams have also put up competitive totals, proving that there’s value for both sides if they execute their plans well. Given the forecast for mild humidity and cloud cover in Guwahati, the toss could play a decisive role — teams winning the toss might prefer to bowl first, hoping to exploit early movement before batting under lights.
Squads Overview: Depth, Experience, and Strategy
New Zealand Women
Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (c), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze (wk), Jess Kerr, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson, Bree Illing, Bella James, Hannah Rowe, Rosemary Mair, Polly Inglis
Bangladesh Women
Fargana Hoque, Rubya Haider, Sharmin Akhter, Nigar Sultana (c and wk), Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Nahida Akter, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Nishita Akter Nishi, Sumaiya Akter, Fariha Trisna, Shanjida Akter Meghla, Ritu Moni
Head-to-Head Record: New Zealand Hold the Edge
In One-Day Internationals, the two teams have faced each other four times, with New Zealand winning two matches, while two games ended without a result due to weather interruptions.
Although the White Ferns boast a stronger record on paper, Bangladesh’s recent form and confidence cannot be underestimated. Their evolving approach to high-pressure matches, coupled with their adaptability in Indian conditions, could make them formidable opponents this time around.
Key Players to Watch
1. Sophie Devine (New Zealand)
The heartbeat of the White Ferns’ lineup, Sophie Devine has been leading from the front. Her ability to score quickly at the top and provide breakthroughs with the ball makes her a complete package. If she gets going, Bangladesh could find themselves chasing leather early on.
2. Amelia Kerr (New Zealand)
One of the most talented all-rounders in women’s cricket, Kerr’s dual role will be critical. She needs to control the middle overs with her leg-spin while anchoring the innings if early wickets fall.
3. Suzie Bates (New Zealand)
The veteran opener’s experience will be vital. Bates has a proven track record of bouncing back under pressure, and the Guwahati pitch could be ideal for her to find form.
4. Nigar Sultana Joty (Bangladesh)
As captain and wicketkeeper-batter, Nigar Sultana has been the calm center of Bangladesh’s resurgence. Her leadership and middle-order composure will be crucial in guiding her team against a quality bowling attack.
5. Nahida Akter (Bangladesh)
The crafty left-arm spinner has been Bangladesh’s biggest weapon. On a surface that could assist spin later in the innings, her control and ability to pick up wickets at key moments will be vital.
6. Marufa Akter (Bangladesh)
At just 19, Marufa has become Bangladesh’s pace spearhead. Her ability to swing the ball early and surprise batters with pace variations can trouble the Kiwi top order.
Tactical Outlook
New Zealand’s Game Plan
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Strong Start: New Zealand will look for solid contributions from Bates and Devine to set the tone.
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Middle Order Consolidation: Amelia Kerr’s presence will be key to bridging the innings and ensuring partnerships.
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Bowling Discipline: They must maintain tighter lines with the new ball and avoid leaking runs in the death overs.
Bangladesh’s Game Plan
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Early Wickets: The Akter duo — Marufa and Nahida — will target New Zealand’s top order early.
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Build Pressure Through Spin: Bangladesh will rely on their spinners to choke the middle overs and induce mistakes.
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Calculated Chase: If batting second, Bangladesh will aim to pace their innings smartly, rotating strike and attacking only loose deliveries.
Predicted Scenarios
Scenario 1: New Zealand Bat First
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Powerplay score: 50–60 runs
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Total: 250–260 runs
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Bangladesh’s chase: Struggles after early wickets, finishing around 220–230
Result: New Zealand win narrowly, defending a modest total.
Scenario 2: Bangladesh Bat First
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Powerplay score: 40–50 runs
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Total: 220–230 runs
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New Zealand’s chase: Steady partnerships from Devine and Kerr seal the game comfortably.
Result: Team bowling first wins — aligning with venue trends.
Match Prediction
While Bangladesh have been the surprise package of the tournament so far, New Zealand’s desperation and experience might give them the edge in this crucial contest. The White Ferns’ senior players, especially Sophie Devine and Amelia Kerr, are likely to step up under pressure.
However, Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling and never-say-die attitude mean they won’t go down without a fight. Expect moments of brilliance from both sides — Devine’s explosive batting, Kerr’s guile, and Nahida’s spin — to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
Predicted Winner: New Zealand Women (team bowling first likely to win)
Expected Margin: 25–35 runs or 5–6 wickets
This match represents two teams on different journeys — one, a former powerhouse trying to reclaim lost ground; the other, an emerging contender daring to challenge established hierarchies.
For New Zealand, it’s about survival, pride, and rediscovering their winning touch. For Bangladesh, it’s about belief — the belief that they belong among the best and can dream beyond just participation.
As the sun sets over Guwahati and the floodlights illuminate the Barsapara Stadium, expect a contest filled with intensity, emotion, and hope. Regardless of the outcome, this fixture promises to be another reminder of how far women’s cricket has come — and how bright its future truly is.
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