When Alyssa Healy, captain of Australia Women steps onto the crease at the ACA‑VDCA Cricket Stadium on October 16, 2025, the stakes feel oddly familiar. The Australian side has never lost an ODI to Bangladesh – four straight victories between March 2022 and March 2024 cemented a 100 % win rate. Now, under the bright Visakhapatnam lights, that flawless record hangs in the balance of a single 50‑over showdown in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.
Why the matchup matters beyond the numbers
It’s not just a tally‑sheet exercise. A win would hand Australia a clean sweep of the tournament’s group stage, pushing them one step closer to a title defense. For Bangladesh, a breakthrough would erase a psychological scar: they’ve been shut out in nine combined ODI/T20I encounters with the Aussies since 2020. The contest also doubles as a milestone runway for several Australian stars eyeing career landmarks.
Head‑to‑head history at a glance
- 25 Mar 2022 – Australia won by 5 wickets at the Basin Reserve, Wellington (World Cup group match).
- 21 Mar 2024 – 118‑run triumph at Sher‑e‑Bangla, Mirpur.
- 24 Mar 2024 – 6‑wicket victory, same venue.
- 27 Mar 2024 – 8‑wicket win, completing a 3‑match series sweep.
Across those games Australia posted an average of 142.6 runs, while Bangladesh managed 103.7. The gap widened in the most recent World Cup showdown when Australia chased down 331 against India – the highest successful chase in women’s ODI history.
Milestones on the line for Australian veterans
Statistics nerds will be watching several players inch toward iconic markers:
- Ellyse Perry needs 86 runs to hit 4,500 ODI runs, plus a few fours and sixes to top 400 fours and 50 sixes.
- Alyssa Healy is 55 runs short of 3,500 career ODI runs.
- Ashleigh Gardner needs 13 runs to reach 1,500 ODI runs.
- Beth Mooney sits 89 runs away from 3,000 ODI runs.
- Megan Schutt requires three more wickets to climb into the Australian top‑three all‑time wicket‑takers.
- Georgia Wareham also needs three wickets to hit the 50‑wicket milestone.
If any of those targets fall, headlines will read “Perry hits 4,500” instead of the usual post‑match scores.
Bangladesh’s weapons and recent form
Bangladesh enters the contest riding a mixed wave. Their 2025 World Cup campaign began with a convincing seven‑wicket win over Pakistan Women, but losses to England, New Zealand and a razor‑thin defeat to South Africa (three wickets left) have left them searching for consistency. The spin duo of Nahida Akter (15 wickets, econ 4.06) and Fahima Khatun (16 wickets, econ 4.21) could be the deciding factor on Visakhapatnam’s batting‑friendly pitches.
On the batting side, Sharmin Akhter stacks up 449 runs in 12 ODIs this year, while Nigar Sultanam Jaman notched a century and three fifties, striking at 73.87. Yet head‑to‑head stats reveal a stark contrast: Marufa Akter has managed just 13 runs off 24 balls against Healy, and Khatun’s 13 off 17 against Mooney tell the same story.
Venue, conditions and tactical angles
The ACA‑VDCA Cricket Stadium, nestled by the Bay of Bengal, has traditionally favored batters – thin seams, limited swing, and a hard outfield that races the ball to the boundary. Forecasts for mid‑October suggest clear skies and temperatures in the high‑20s Celsius, meaning the dew factor should be minimal.
Australia’s explosive top order, led by Healy’s aggressive 142 against India, will likely look to dominate the powerplay. Meanwhile, Bangladesh may bank on a disciplined spin spell in the middle overs to choke runs and force a tactical chase.
What the result could mean for the tournament
If Australia extends its dominance, the team locks into the knockout stage with a comfortable net‑run‑rate edge, allowing them to rest a few bowlers ahead of the quarter‑finals. A Bangladesh upset, however, would shake up the group, possibly nudging the Indian side into a tougher semi‑final draw.
Beyond the points table, a win for Bangladesh would be a psychological breakthrough. It would mark the first ODI triumph over the Aussies, a boost that could translate into stronger performances in the remaining group fixtures.
Key facts at a glance
- Event: ICC Women's World Cup 2025 – Group MatchACA‑VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam, India
- Australia Women’s ODI record vs Bangladesh: 4‑0 (100 % win rate)
- Top Australian milestones in play: Perry (4,500 runs), Healy (3,500 runs), Gardner (1,500 runs), Mooney (3,000 runs)
- Bangladesh’s leading bowlers: Nahida Akter (15 wkts), Fahima Khatun (16 wkts)
- Projected pitch: Batting‑friendly, low seam, moderate turn
Frequently Asked Questions
How could a Bangladesh win affect their World Cup chances?
A victory would give Bangladesh their first ODI win over Australia, boosting net‑run‑rate and potentially moving them ahead of a lower‑ranked side for a knockout spot. It would also energize the squad, making them more competitive in the final group match against India.
Which Australian player is most likely to hit a personal milestone in this game?
All eyes are on Ellyse Perry. She needs just 86 runs to cross 4,500 ODI runs, and a solid opening partnership could see her achieve that while also inching toward 400 fours and 50 sixes.
What are the key strengths Bangladesh can exploit at Visakhapatnam?
Bangladesh’s spin attack, led by Nahida Akter, thrives on slower turn, which the Visakhapatnam surface can provide later in the innings. Coupled with disciplined bowling in the middle overs, they can restrict Australia’s run flow and set up a manageable chase.
How does the pitch compare to previous Australia‑Bangladesh encounters?
Earlier matches in Bangladesh’s Sher‑e‑Bangla stadium favored seamers, whereas Visakhapatnam’s hard, dry wicket is more akin to the flat surfaces Australia used in New Zealand 2022. This shift could tilt the balance toward Australia’s power hitters rather than Bangladesh’s bowl‑first strategy.
What does a win mean for the broader rivalry?
A Bangladesh win would end a nine‑match ODI/T20I winless streak against Australia, signaling a possible shift in the power dynamics of women’s cricket in the Asia‑Pacific region and encouraging more investment in the Bangladeshi women’s program.