Fired Up by Harmanpreet Kaur, Sobhana Mostary Sets Sights on Making Bangladesh a Global Force

Sobhana Mostary: The Emerging Star in Bangladesh’s World Cup Story.

Bangladesh’s campaign at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 has been one of heartbreak and hope. The Nigar Sultana-led side has pushed heavyweight teams like England, South Africa, and Sri Lanka to the brink but failed to cross the finishing line. With just one win from six matches, the Tigresses sit at the bottom of the table — yet their fight and spirit have stood out.

Amidst the setbacks, Sobhana Mostary has quietly emerged as one of Bangladesh’s brightest lights. The 23-year-old has been the team’s most consistent batter, scoring 169 runs in six innings at an average of 42.25 — the second-highest for Bangladesh in the tournament.

Her maiden ODI fifty, a patient 60 against England, and an unbeaten 66 against Australia showcased her poise under pressure and her growing maturity. Against world-class bowling attacks, Mostary displayed the perfect blend of restraint and flair — the hallmarks of a player ready for the big stage.

Early Roots at BKSP
Mostary’s cricket journey began long before her World Cup debut. At just ten years old, she joined the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP) — the country’s premier sports academy that has produced stars like Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim.

“When I was ten years old, I got admission to BKSP. I used to study and play there. Then, when I was 17, I made my debut for the Bangladesh team during our tour of South Africa,” she told IndiaToday.in.

Her defining moment, however, came earlier that year during the Emerging Cup, when she struck a match-winning 37 not out against South Africa. “I hit a six to win the match — that was the turning point in my career. From there, I grew a lot as a player,” she recalled.

From 2022 Memories to 2025 Lessons
For Mostary, Bangladesh’s qualification for the 2022 Women’s World Cup remains one of her fondest memories. “We qualified on 27 November, and that day was a very happy moment for all of us. I wasn’t playing that match against Pakistan, but I came on as a substitute fielder and took a catch near the boundary. Everyone was so happy — it was special,” she said with a smile.

While the 2025 campaign has yielded just one win, Bangladesh have shown visible improvement — particularly with the bat. The team has already produced seven half-centuries, compared to only two in the previous edition.

“If you want to rate our team, in unity we’re 10 out of 10. Performance-wise, I’d say six or seven — we’ve improved a lot in both batting and bowling,” Mostary said.

Heartbreak and Hope
The narrow loss to Sri Lanka still lingers. Chasing 203, Bangladesh were cruising before a sudden collapse saw them fall short by seven runs. “That game was heartbreaking. Many of us couldn’t sleep for two days,” Mostary admitted. “But we’ve trained hard since then, focusing on bowling, fielding, and batting. We’re confident we can finish strong against India.”

As Bangladesh prepare to face India in their final group game, Mostary spoke fondly of her idol Harmanpreet Kaur, whose 171 against Australia in 2017 inspired her. “She’s my favourite player. I watch all her matches and try to learn from her. Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal are very dangerous batters too, and Deepti Sharma is a big threat with the ball,” she said.

A Bright Future for the Tigresses
Despite their struggles, Mostary believes Bangladesh women’s cricket is on an upward curve. “There are lots of talented players now — both bowlers and batters. Many academies and institutes are helping to develop cricketers. The future looks very bright,” she said with confidence.

With her calm temperament, sharp technique, and fearless stroke play, Sobhana Mostary represents the new face of Bangladesh cricket — composed yet courageous, humble yet ambitious. Alongside rising talents like Shorna Akter, she embodies the belief that the Tigresses’ best days are still ahead.