When fandom turns sport into an opiate for the masses, an escape for collective frustration rather than a celebration of craft, it’s the image of the nation itself that takes the hit in the long run.

Bangladesh posted their highest ever total against Australia in WODIs but could not pose any challenge to the seven-time world champions, and were handed a crushing 10-wicket defeat in their fifth match of the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 in Visakhapatnam, India on Thursday.

The Women's World Cup has achieved record viewing figures with 60 million fans having already tuned in to watch the first 13 one-day matches, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said Thursday.

Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first against defending champions Australia in their fifth group-stage match in the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, India on Thursday.

After opening their campaign with a seven-wicket win over Pakistan, the Tigresses have suffered three straight defeats but earned plaudits for their fight and competitiveness against top-ranked sides.

Pakistan were denied a shock victory over England when their Women's World Cup match was washed out as Colombo continued to be drenched by unrelenting monsoon showers on Wednesday.

For the Tigresses, the numbers reaffirm a sense of gradual progress.

After a three-wicket, last-over loss to South Africa in Vizag on Monday, most players were left in tears in the dressing room, but the camp's mood had brightened by the next day following retrospection.

Sri Lanka and New Zealand were forced to share the points in their Women's World Cup fixture after heavy rain had the final say in Colombo on Tuesday, washing out play after the innings break.

Captain Nigar Sultana Joty wore both pride and pain on her face after the narrow loss, praising her young side’s spirit.

Known for her hard-hitting in domestic cricket, Bangladesh all-rounder Shorna Akter had long struggled to showcase her abilities in international cricket.

It was once again a case of so close yet so far for Bangladesh women in the ICC Women's World Cup in India, this time with a heartbreaking three-wicket defeat against South Africa in Visakhapatnam on Monday. 

The contest not only showcased top-class batting from both sides but also rewrote several record books in women’s cricket.

Meanwhile, South Africa medium-pacer Tumi Sekhukhune said her side are wary of Bangladesh’s spin-heavy attack.

Alyssa Healy led from the front with a blistering century as Australia sealed a thrilling three-wicket win in their ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 clash against India, chasing down 331 with an over to spare. The game went right down to the wire but despite losing wickets at crucial stages, Australia held their nerve to cross the finish line.

She comes from Barisal, from a home where cricket wasn’t supposed to be a daughter’s dream.

In the same match in Vizag, the 29-year-old left-hander also became the fifth batter to score 5000 runs in women’s ODIs.

After three rounds of matches, the ICC Women's World Cup standings are taking shape. With one win in three games, Bangladesh are sixth in the eight-team points-table. To stay in the hunt for a place in the semifinals, Nigar Sultana and Co. need to pull off a few upsets. 

As Bangladesh head to Visakhapatnam for their next two matches against South Africa and Australia on October 13 and 16, they will hope their captain can rediscover her touch to keep their World Cup campaign alive.

England stamped their authority on the Women's World Cup with a commanding 89-run win over Sri Lanka in Colombo on Saturday, powered by a classy hundred from Nat Sciver-Brunt and a masterly spell of spin from Sophie Ecclestone.