The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, unfolding across India and Sri Lanka, has dazzled with fierce contests, but a mischievous viral photo has cast an unnecessary shadow over Bangladesh’s spirited campaign.
Shared widely on X, the image depicts two women in burqas — one wielding a bat — on a pitch, overlaid with a scorecard mimicking a Bangladesh-New Zealand clash. Captions mock: “Bangladesh women playing in burqas?” As non-viewers gawk, the truth emerges: It’s a blatant fake, designed to stir controversy.
Under captain Nigar Sultana Joty, the Tigresses kicked off with a bang, stunning Pakistan in their opener and giving England, New Zealand, and South Africa stern tests in the eight-team ODI showdown.
Defending champions Australia loom large, but Bangladesh’s grit shines through, even if victories prove elusive. Yet, amid their on-field hustle, this doctored snap — likely AI-generated, bearing a Google Gemini watermark — has flooded feeds. Some label it a “local tournament” shot; others use it to ridicule the side.
Fact-checks by leading media outlets debunk it swiftly: No such scene occurred. Highlights from the New Zealand rout (a 100-run drubbing) show the team in standard jerseys and kits, sans burqas. While hijabs have graced ICC events — think Scotland’s Abtaha Maqsood in 2024 — no Bangladeshi player has donned a burqa in official play. Bangladesh, an Islamic nation, empowers its women cricketers in conventional gear, much like their global peers.
This viral hoax underscores AI’s dark side in sport: Misinformation erodes trust, especially for underdogs like Bangladesh, eyeing their second World Cup semis push. As the tournament heats up— England’s Heather Knight just anchored a win over the Tigresses — fans, verify before sharing. Cricket deserves cheers, not cheap shots.