Bangladesh’s women’s kabaddi team have made history by reaching the semi-finals of the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup for the very first time. With their top-four finish secured, the team have also guaranteed themselves a medal—an extraordinary achievement on home soil.
The crucial match took place on Saturday at the Shaheed Sohrawardi Indoor Stadium in Mirpur, where hosts Bangladesh faced Thailand in the tournament’s 23rd fixture. Maleka Parvin’s side clinched a hard-fought 40–31 victory, showcasing both resilience and tactical brilliance.
The opening half saw a tight contest, with Bangladesh taking a narrow 14–12 lead into the break. However, the hosts dominated the second half, overwhelming the Thai defence with superior raiding and disciplined blocking. Thailand, who matched Bangladesh early on, eventually struggled to contain the home side’s energy and precision.
This World Cup has so far been Bangladesh’s best performance on the global stage. Previously, their highest finish was fifth, but this year the team have demonstrated maturity, confidence and consistent improvement in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.
Bangladesh began their campaign with an emphatic 42–22 win over Uganda, followed by another commanding 57–27 victory against Germany. Their only defeat came in the third match, when defending champions India handed them a 43–18 loss.
After three matches, both Bangladesh and Thailand were level on four points, making Saturday’s clash effectively a knockout encounter. Meanwhile, Iran secured their own semi-final place earlier in the day with a dominant 39–11 victory over Nepal.
With momentum building and the home crowd firmly behind them, Bangladesh’s women now look ahead to the semi-finals with renewed belief and the chance to achieve something truly historic.
Bangladesh’s World Cup Match Results
| Match | Opponent | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uganda | Win | 42–22 |
| 2 | Germany | Win | 57–27 |
| 3 | India (Defending Champions) | Loss | 18–43 |
| 4 | Thailand | Win | 40–31 |
| Status | — | Qualified for Semi-Finals | Medal Secured |
