Will Marufa’s ‘secret plan’ give Bangladesh an edge in the upcoming T20 World Cup?

At just 21, Marufa Akter has already established herself as one of the finest fast bowlers Bangladesh has produced in women’s cricket. During the last World Cup in India, she impressed the cricketing world with her brilliant inswingers and delivered a match-winning performance against Pakistan in Bangladesh’s only victory of the tournament. This time, Marufa is set to head to England, where Bangladesh will once again rely heavily on her as their main pace-bowling weapon. Recently, the right-arm pacer spoke to The Daily Star’s Samsul Arefin Khan and revealed that she has a secret plan for the mega T20 event. The Tigresses will hope it works as they look to improve their record in the tournament -- Bangladesh have managed just three wins in 25 matches in T20 World Cups so far. Marufa also spoke about her thoughts on the T20 World Cup, the challenges for pacers in English conditions, and the team’s expectations. Excerpts follow:

The Daily Star (DS): You are going to play in England for the first time, and that too in a World Cup. How excited are you?

Marufa Akter (MA): First of all, Alhamdulillah, this is my first England tour. I have prepared well, and given the weather there, I will try to bowl accordingly and get some swing.

DS: In last year’s 50-over World Cup, you showed your brilliance on Indian wickets. This time, the wickets will be more pace-friendly. So, what is your plan this time?

MA: There are always plans. Now, the wicket is a matter of fate. There is also a factor of luck involved. If my luck is good, I will definitely get good wickets. I hope I will do something great.

DS: Bangladesh’s group this time is fairly even, and we have done well against these opponents before. However, in the previous World Cups, we couldn’t perform that well. Looking at the group this time, do you think we have hopes of reaching the next round?

MA: We are going there to play, so of course, there is hope. T20 is a game that can turn at any time. It depends on the situation of the day and who performs better on that specific day.

DS: The bowling department is always the strength of the women’s team. Does it become a pressure on you when the batters cannot provide a big total or fumble while chasing?

MA: No, actually, when we play as a team, it doesn't feel like pressure. Everyone won’t perform well every day. When we all contribute together, we will definitely get a good result.

DS: What do you think the challenge is for the pacers in helping bring positive results for the team?

MA: I think Trisna apu [Fariha Trisna] is a very good left-arm pacer, and she swings the ball. Trisna apu bowls very good inswingers. Insha'Allah, if she and I can bowl in a good partnership, we can hope for a good outcome.

DS: Do you have any specific plan for this World Cup in terms of your bowling?

MA: We have to work on it every day. Everyone is improving, and there are many analysts now. So we have to work on our bowling. There is always a plan, but that is secret.

DS: In T20s, you only have to bowl four overs. Are you more comfortable with this, and does it matter whether you bowl at the start or the end of the innings?

MA: I’m comfortable with both because I have to play both formats. In both ODIs and T20s, I bowl according to the captain’s lead and the game situation.

DS: You are going to Scotland first for a tri-series. Before the last World Cup, the preparation included fewer international matches, but this time you played Sri Lanka at home and have more matches ahead. How important will these upcoming matches be?

MA: They are very important for us because the conditions in England and Scotland are very similar, so we can adjust to the environment beforehand.