Marufa Akter to Miss Bangladesh Women’s New Zealand Tour With Ankle Injury
Bangladesh fast bowler Marufa Akter will miss the women’s team’s upcoming white-ball tour of New Zealand as she continues recovering from a persistent injury to her right ankle. The decision is intended to give one of the side’s leading pace options enough time to heal fully, rather than risk an early return that could aggravate the problem.
Bangladesh are scheduled to leave Dhaka on December 4 for a six-match series featuring three one-day internationals and three T20Is. Marufa is currently on four weeks of bed rest and is expected to begin walking again in the first week of December. Her absence leaves the team without a key member of its pace attack for a demanding overseas assignment.
Bangladesh prioritise a full recovery
A senior Bangladesh Cricket Board official involved with the women’s programme told Cricbuzz that the decision was made to avoid rushing Marufa back into action. The board wants the bowler to return only when she can train and bowl without pain or discomfort.
“She is unavailable for the tour of New Zealand as we don’t want to rush her, considering she is one of our premier cricketers,” the official said. “We need to make sure she returns after recovering fully.”
The official added that Marufa’s ankle pain had returned, raising concerns that an incomplete recovery could lead to further setbacks. Bowling places substantial force on the foot and ankle, particularly during a fast bowler’s run-up, delivery stride and follow-through. If she cannot bowl at her usual intensity, a premature comeback could affect both her performance and her longer-term fitness.
“The pain recurred in her ankle, and we don’t want that to happen again,” the official said. “We decided to give her as much time as needed to make sure she can bowl without any kind of discomfort going forward.”
Bone injury has required careful management
Marufa is dealing with bone erosion at the base of the fifth metatarsal in her right foot. The fifth metatarsal runs along the outer edge of the foot, connecting the little toe to the midfoot. Because this area is involved in balance and movement, an injury there can be especially challenging for a fast bowler, whose action depends on repeated, high-impact loading.
The condition reportedly worsened in recent weeks, and Marufa is now wearing an Aircast boot to protect the affected foot. She had also received an injection before Bangladesh’s recent tour of Australia, but the treatment did not bring the expected improvement. The team management subsequently rested her for the final match of that tour.
Her current period of rest reflects a cautious approach after the earlier treatment failed to resolve the problem. The next stages are expected to involve a gradual return to movement, followed by rehabilitation and bowling-specific work. The exact timing will depend on how the injury responds, rather than on the New Zealand tour schedule.
What her absence means for the New Zealand series
Marufa’s unavailability is a significant selection concern for Bangladesh, particularly in conditions that can offer assistance to seam bowlers. New Zealand’s pitches and weather can reward disciplined pace bowling, making the balance of Bangladesh’s attack an important factor in both formats. The selectors may need to rely on other seamers to take on greater responsibility with the new ball and at the end of an innings.
Her absence could also give another bowler an opportunity to build experience at international level. However, replacing Marufa’s role will involve more than filling a spot in the team: Bangladesh will need to consider who can provide control, generate movement and maintain pressure across different phases of an ODI or T20I.
The three ODIs and three T20Is will test the visitors’ adaptability, as each format demands a different approach. In the 50-over matches, Bangladesh will need to manage bowling spells and protect their options across a longer innings. In T20 cricket, the focus will shift towards finding wicket-taking choices while limiting scoring opportunities. Team combinations may therefore vary between formats.
Recovery takes priority over short-term selection
For Bangladesh, keeping Marufa out of the New Zealand tour is a short-term setback, but a full recovery is likely to be more valuable than a hurried return. A fast bowler who is still experiencing pain may struggle to deliver at full pace, while repeated stress on an injured foot could prolong rehabilitation and affect future availability.
At this stage, there is no indication that Marufa will be ready for the series. Her expected return to walking in early December marks a rehabilitation milestone, not confirmation that she will be able to resume bowling or competitive cricket. Medical staff will need to assess her progress before she can move through the demands of training and match play.
Bangladesh supporters will be watching for updates as the team prepares for the tour and the bowler continues her recovery. Any prediction about when Marufa might return should remain cautious until she has resumed bowling comfortably. For now, the priority is clear: protect the injured foot, complete rehabilitation and allow one of Bangladesh’s leading pace bowlers to come back only when she is ready.
