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AI-Generated Fake Burqa Images Target Bangladesh Women’s Cricket Team
Guwahati, India – October 13, 2025 – A malicious wave of AI-generated images falsely depicting Bangladesh women’s cricket players wearing burqas during their ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 match against New Zealand has sparked outrage across social media. The fabricated images, debunked as bearing Google’s Gemini watermark, emerged after New Zealand’s 100-run victory over Bangladesh on October 10 in Guwahati, India, amid simmering India-Bangladesh tensions.
The Match: New Zealand’s Commanding Performance
The 11th match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, saw Bangladesh face New Zealand at Barsapara Cricket Stadium. New Zealand, batting first after winning the toss, posted 227/9 in 50 overs, anchored by half-centuries from Sophie Devine (63 off 92) and Brooke Halliday (69 off 104). Their 100-run stand steadied the innings after early wickets fell to Bangladesh’s spinners, with Fahima Khatun claiming 3/42.
Bangladesh’s chase faltered, bowled out for 127 in 39.5 overs. New Zealand’s pacers, Jess Kerr (3/21) and Lea Tahuhu (3/22), dominated, while Fahima Khatun’s 34 off 80 was Bangladesh’s best effort. Halliday earned Player of the Match for her all-round display. New Zealand climbed to fifth in the standings with four points, while Bangladesh, with two points from an earlier upset over Pakistan, dropped to sixth.
| Team | Score | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand Women | 227/9 | 50 | Won by 100 runs |
| Bangladesh Women | 127 all out | 39.5 | – |
The Fake Images: AI Misuse Exposed
Hours after the match, AI-manipulated images surfaced on platforms like X and Instagram, falsely showing Bangladesh players in black burqas on the field, accompanied by a doctored scorecard. Fact-checkers, including India Today, confirmed the images as fakes, citing inconsistent shadows, unnatural visuals, and the Gemini watermark. Official footage shows the team in standard green-and-red jerseys, with no religious attire involved.
“This is a deliberate attempt to mislead,” an ICC official stated, noting that player attire adheres to strict international guidelines. Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty dismissed the controversy, saying, “We’re focused on cricket, not rumors. Our performance on the field speaks for us.”
Regional Tensions and Digital Manipulation
The hoax aligns with strained India-Bangladesh relations, fueled by recent diplomatic spats over borders and trade. Similar disinformation campaigns marred Bangladesh’s 2024 elections, and experts see this as an extension of such tactics. On X, users condemned the images as “vile” and “divisive,” with one post stating: “Fake burqa photos of Bangladesh’s cricket team are a new low. Social media needs better controls.” The Bangladesh Cricket Board labeled the images an “insult” to their players, urging platforms to act swiftly.
X and Meta have begun removing the posts, but the spread highlights AI’s growing role in misinformation. Tools like Gemini can produce convincing fakes in moments, posing challenges for content moderation.
The Bigger Picture: Cricket and Digital Ethics
As the Women’s World Cup unfolds, this incident underscores the threat of deepfakes in sports. The ICC, facing calls to strengthen anti-misinformation measures, emphasized unity: “Cricket is about fair play, on and off the field.” Bangladesh, banking on their spinners’ prowess (33 wickets in Guwahati), now prepares to face South Africa on October 13.
For the global Bangladeshi diaspora, this episode is a reminder to verify information before sharing. As cricket legend Mithali Raj, a World Cup ambassador, tweeted: “Support our players with truth, not lies.”
NriGlobe will continue to monitor this story. For updates and match highlights, visit the ICC’s official website.
By Nriglobe team, Global Sports Desk
Last updated: October 13, 2025, 10:47 PM IST
