NZ vs BAN, Women’s World Cup 2025: If runs don’t come from top, lower order batters can’t do much, says Rabeya Khan
Bangladesh spinner Rabeya Khan conceded that her side wasn’t good enough against New Zealand after it suffered a 100-win run loss in a Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 league stage fixture on Friday at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati.
The Tigresses’ batting came under the microscope after it went bust for 127 in 39.5 overs while chasing 228. A 44-run partnership between Fahima Khatun and Rabeya steadied the ship before it sank.
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“The question of why this is happening should be asked to the batters. Ultimately, the lower-order batters can try their best but if the runs don’t come from the top, then it becomes tough for us. When Fahima and I were at the crease, our aim was to keep taking singles to reduce the target and take it till the end. The runs weren’t that much, but we didn’t have wickets in hand,” Rabeya, who took three wickets, didn’t mince her words after the match.
Asked whether the pitch behaved differently in the second innings which could have impacted Bangladesh’s batting, she said, “The wicket was the same. We just couldn’t play tonight, that’s the truth.”
New Zealand pacer Lea Tahuhu, who marked her 100th ODI with three wickets, was glad that her team had gotten off the mark after two losses. “It’s a good way to kickstart our campaign. The games are coming thick and fast; we play again in four days time. It’s about taking the learnings from this match and moving forward.”
Published on Oct 11, 2025
